Global superstar and undisputed Queen of contemporary soul music Mary J Blige returns with her new album ‘The London Sessions’, released today through Island/Capitol Records. Described by the Observer as “the most innovative album of her 22 year career”, ‘The London Sessions’ features collaborations with some of the UK's finest musical talent, including UMPG signed Disclosure and Jimmy Napes.
The legendary Neil Diamond returns with his brand new studio album ‘Melody Road’, released through Capitol Records this week. Described by Neil as a "homecoming", ‘Melody Road’ brings us back to the start of his musical journey reflecting Neil’s lifelong love of folk music and the early influences of artists such as The Weavers and Woody Guthrie.
Neil Diamond, one of the world’s premiere recording artists, has signed an exclusive worldwide publishing administration agreement with Universal Music Publishing. Through the deal UMPG will represent Neil Diamond’s songs for synchronization in film, TV, advertising, games and other media, as well as providing global copyright administration of his entire back catalog and future works during the term, including his highly anticipated new studio album ‘Melody Road’, released on 21st October via Capitol Records.
Jessie Ware returns with her sophomore album ‘Tough Love’, released through Island Records this week. Featuring the title track ‘Tough Love’ - written last May, “after a really gruelling period of shows” - the record draws on the suave, svelte palette of synths and bass heard on Jessie’s debut LP ‘Devotion’, combining this with elevated choruses and lush arrangements.
Basement Jaxx are back with their new album ‘Junto’, released through Atlantic Jaxx / PIAS this week. ‘Junto’ will be the seventh album from Felix Buxton and Simon Ratcliffe - aka Basement Jaxx - and has been two years in the making. With a title translating from Spanish to mean ‘together’, ‘Junto’ embodies the duo’s ongoing desire to unify people through music. Featuring the lead single ‘Never Say Never’ this release is both ambitious and inventive, resulting in 13 new explosive dance floor fusion tracks.
After an astonishing year which saw her described as “The voice of 2013” by The Evening Standard, nominated for two BRIT Awards (British Female Solo Artist and British Breakthrough Act), shortlisted for the Mercury Prize and receiving a nomination in the Album Award category at the recent Ivor Novello Awards, Laura Mvula returns with a new recording of her Top Ten debut album ‘Sing To The Moon’, released through RCA Victor (Sony) today.
The mighty Coldplay return to centre stage with their sixth studio album 'Ghost Stories', released through Parlophone today. Featuring the singles 'Magic' and 'A Sky Full of Stars', 'Ghost Stories' sees Coldplay step back from the blazing energy of 2011's chart topping 'Mylo Xyloto'. Instead this new release takes an introspective turn with Chris Martin's trademark emotive vocal delivery overlaying a more atmospheric backdrop.
Lily Allen releases her third studio album ‘Sheezus’ today on Regal. Lily returned to the studio last year following a three year hiatus, and shot to the top of the UK singles chart with her cover of Keane’s ‘Somewhere Only We Know’, whilst new single ‘Hard Out Here’ also charted in the Top 10 that same week.
Paloma Faith releases her third studio album ‘A Perfect Contradiction’ today through RCA Records. The new album is a very different record from 2012’s ‘Fall To Grace’, as Paloma explains; "Its tone is the very opposite of what the last album was…. I've been reflecting on things that have been tough but I'm almost celebrating that. If you haven't been to the bottom, you wouldn't be able to recognise how it feels to feel really amazing after all."
Metronomy release their fourth studio album ‘Love Letters’ today through Because Music. The album aims to do fresh things in an old fashioned way – taking a more traditional analogue approach to recording, yet at the same time injecting the music with tight electronics and experiments in sound.