Four Universal Music Publishing artists took home Ivor Novello awards yesterday. James Blake topped the Best Contemporary Song category with his single ‘Retrograde’ whilst The Chemical Brothers won the award for Outstanding Song Collection. Mumford & Sons picked up the prize for International Achievement and the legendary Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement award.
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.
UMPG writer Danger Mouse has co-written and produced The Black Keys’ eighth studio album ‘Turn Blue’, which was released through Nonesuch Records this week.
The album, featuring critically acclaimed single ‘Fever’, was recorded at Sunset Sound in Hollywood during the summer of 2013, with additional recording done at the Key Club in Benton Harbor, Michigan and guitarist Dan Auerbach’s Easy Eye Sound in Nashville in early 2014.
Described by Clash Magazine as ‘unsurprisingly monstrous’ fusing ‘tenacious funk with serrated Neil Young-like guitars’, ‘Turn Blue’ is the follow up to The Black Keys' Grammy Award winning ‘El Camino’ (2011) – which was also co-written and produced by Danger Mouse.
Lily Allen has topped the UK album charts with her third studio album ‘Sheezus’, released 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.
To celebrate 20 years since Britpop stormed the charts, we’ve put together two Britpop themed playlists celebrating the best UMPG published artists and writers across the genre. Elsewhere, the UK’s music media have been exploring Britpop’s musical heritage with a series of programs and features, including BBC6 Music, who asked listeners to vote for their favourite Britpop anthem - Pulp’s ‘Disco 2000’ came out on top.
Artists and writers signed to Universal Music Publishing have received 8 nominations for the 59th Ivor Novello awards. Disclosure, Everything Everything, James Blake, James Napier, Laura Mvula, Olly Murs, Palma Violets, Steve Booker and Steven Price are amongst the artists and writers in the running.
Kelis releases her sixth studio album ‘Food’ today through Ninja Tune. As the title suggests, the new album pays homage to her passion for gastronomy (Kelis is now a qualified chef) with lip smacking tracks named ‘Jerk Ribs’, ‘Friday Fish Fry’, ‘Biscuits N’ Gravy’ and ‘Cobbler’.
Little Matador release their self-titled debut album today on Fiction Records. The quintet are fronted by Snow Patrol guitarist Nathan Connolly, who explains his drive behind the project: “I wanted to make a record with bite and conviction, swagger and integrity, a fresh, gritty, honest, modern rock album. And Little Matador is that record.”
Lucius release their debut album ‘Wildewoman’ today. The Brooklyn band’s sound combines pop melodies and girl group vocal harmonies with percussive post-punk power and stomping percussion. Lucius is fronted by Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig, whose impeccable soaring harmonies give their sound its unique flavor.
Elton John’s seminal album ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ has been re-issued to celebrate the 40th anniversary of its release. The reissue includes a two disk special edition featuring nine new cover versions performed by Ed Sheeran, Miguel, John Grant, Emeli Sande and more. ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ was Elton John’s seventh studio album and went on to be one of his most popular, selling over 30 million copies and topping the album charts in the UK and the US.