Focus Music Notes. "Out of the Blues". Popular music through the decades

Following the enormous worldwide success of his recent hit single, “Too Close”, as featured in the multi-million dollar Microsoft internet explorer ad, Alex Clare has his new single “Treading Water”, released on August 13th through Island Records. Sales of “Too Close”(1.5 million and counting) exploded in all territories that carried the advert and that looks set to continue as the campaign is now being extended in new countries including France and Brazil. Both “Too Close” and “Treading Water” singles are taken from Alex’s hugely acclaimed debut album ”The Lateness Of The Hour”. “Too Close” peaked at #4 in the UK chart where it remained in the top 10 for 5 weeks, selling over 400,000 copies in the UK alone, while the accompanying video racked up over 12 million views. The album, released to widespread acclaim a year earlier, has now shipped 60,000 in the UK while Alex also recently made a triumphant return to the UK live stage with a triumphant sell-out gig at the Scala in London

Celebrated Icelandic indie-pop sextet Of Monsters And Men , will release their boisterously catchy, chart topping second single ‘Little Talks’ on the 6 th August through Island Records . Since winning a local battle of the bands competition less than twelve months ago, Of Monsters And Men’s trajectory to music’s upper echelons has been unstoppable. The band’s debut album ‘My Head Is An Animal’ has already enjoyed huge success in Iceland and Europe. Mirroring that feat in America, ‘My Head Is An Animal’ went to #1 in the iTunes album chart and saw the band appear on Jimmy Fallon in May . Following that performance, Of Monsters And Men have been confirmed to appear on Jay Leno later this month. ‘Little Talks’ follows debut single ‘Dirty Paws’ which enjoyed huge support across the UKs top radio stations. Dusting away years of cultural stereotypes with its rousing feel good lyrics and irresistible melodies and hooks, ‘Little Talks’ is unquestionably the sound of this year’s s

Jessie Wares soulful, melancholy vocal and effortlessly elegant songwriting skills have already cemented the South Londoner as one of 2012s brightest hopes. With three singles already under her belt, new track ‘Wildest Moments’ combines the ultra-modern feel of downtempo R&B and British electronic music, released on August 13th through PMR Records , the song is the perfect pre-cursor to her eagerly awaited debut album, ‘Devotion’ released August 20th . Produced by Dave Okumu, ‘Wildest Moments’ is of particular significance to Jessie as she explains; “Wildest Moments is about a tempestuous relationship. The extremes of being the best and then the worst together” An intimate gig at the Nave church in Islington in March 2012 marked Jessie’s biggest headline show to date and also the moment it all came together. Looking every inch the classy pop star, Jessie blew the room away, with the help of her live band. August 15th see’s Jessie bring her live show South of the river when she’ll