Three years after their stunning debut ‘xx’ was released to widespread critical acclaim, culminating in the band winning the Mercury Music Prize, The xx return with their hugely anticipated second album ‘Coexist’. “To coexist doesn’t paint the rosiest picture but I think it represents the realness,” explains Romy. “Learning to live together, learning to work together again, learning to live with the person you’re with, or your ex. It’s all connected.”

The Vaccines release their second studio album ‘The Vaccines Come of Age’ today – the follow up to their debut ‘What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?’ Frontman Justin Young explains that with ‘The Vaccines Come of Age’ the band is striving to “sound like The Vaccines. We needed to work out which characteristics are going to make people compare bands to The Vaccines in five or ten years time. It's quite a searching record in that sense.”

Universal Music Publishing is very excited to welcome the supremely talented Jessie Ware to UMPG. The London born singer songwriter has been causing something of a stir with her soulful vocals and effortlessly elegant songwriting skills. Her debut album ‘Devotion’ has attracted rave reviews: NME described it as, “Both contemporary and timeless… a record filled with moments that bring you to your knees”, whilst Pitchfork calls it, “A uniquely soulful masterclass.”

Legendary lyricist Hal David has sadly passed away at the age of 91. His staggeringly successful songwriting partnership with Burt Bacharach produced some of the best-loved songs of the twentieth century,  including ‘Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head’, ‘I Say A Little Prayer’ ‘Walk On By’, ‘Anyone Who Had A Heart’, ‘(There's) Always Something There To Remind Me’, ‘(They Long To Be) Close To You’ and 'Do You Know The Way To San Jose?'

David and Bacharach went on to win an Oscar for ‘Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head’ – featured in the 1969 film ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’ – as well as numerous Grammy and Tony awards for songs from the hit Broadway musical ‘Promises, Promises’. In 2011 they were the first songwriters to be awarded the Gershwin Prize for popular song by the US Library of Congress. David also became the first non-British person to be honoured with a prestigious Ivor Novello award.

Alanis Morissette releases her eighth studio album today, four years after her last full length release ‘Flavours of Entanglement’. The album’s lyrics cover diverse themes  - from love and motherhood to women’s rights, addiction, celebrity and religious and political divisions - all set against a backdrop of bright bold melodies and lush sonic textures.

Following on from their last EP ‘Overjoyed’, today Bastille release the ‘Bad Blood EP’, complete with remixes from F*U*G*Z, Melé  and Lunice, plus demo track ‘Haunt’. The track is accompanied by a sinister video investigating a mysterious dissapearance.

Angel’s new single ‘Wonderful’ is officially released today – following on from his debut ‘Go In, Go Hard’ featuring Wretch 32. Having been tipped as “the new face of UK R&B” by BBC Radio 1 and nominated for MTV’s Brand New award and HMV’s Next Big Thing, the talented Londoner has already  made an impact on the UK’s urban music scene.

Theme Park release the second single from their forthcoming debut album today. 'Jamaica' is a glorious slice of summery pop - warm enough to cut through the clouds on even the most dreary British summer day.

Click through to watch the video for 'Jamaica'.

Cocteau Twins’ Elizabeth Fraser performed at the Royal Festival Hall this week to a rapturous audience, at the request of Meltdown curator Anthony Hegarty. This was the headline-grabbing coup of the festival:  persuading one of the UK’s most distinctive and beguiling voices to play her first full London show since the demise of indie giants Cocteau Twins in 1998.

The Independent described the concert as “genuinely breath-taking”, whilst The Guardian awarded 5 stars and commented that it was “unique – but timeless, too”. To celebrate the fantastic body of work from the truly ground-breaking group, we’ve pulled out a selection of highlights from Cocteau Twins’ considerable back catalogue. Click through to listen to the playlist.

Mumford & Sons have revealed the first single from their highly anticipated second album ‘Babel.’
The aptly titled (for impatient Mumford & Sons fans) ‘I Will Wait’ received its first play on Zane Lowe’s Radio 1 show, and is due for release  24th September.

Click through to listen to 'I Will Wait'.