DJ Fresh releases his third studio album ‘Nextlevelism’ today. The album comes on the back of a hugely successful 12 months which have seen him score two number one singles, as well as picking up awards for Best Producer at the Drum & Bass Awards and Best Dance Act at this year’s Urban Music Awards.
Mumford & Sons release their second studio album ‘Babel’ today – the hugely anticipated follow up to their Brit award winning debut ‘Sigh No More’. Having sold over 4 million copies of their first album, as well as picking up a Mercury Prize nomination and six Grammy nominations, the band “wanted to do something unashamed,” says Ben Lovett. “We’re confident and happy to be where we are... everything that’s happened with us has exceeded expectations, and it’s all been a surprise, it’s all much bigger than what we were prepared for."
Described as “one of the country’s most promising new voices” (Sunday Times) and “a real star” (Daily Mirror), Lucy Rose releases her debut album ‘Like I Used To’ today. Highlights from the album include the unconventionally structured, tempo-hopping ‘Lines’, with its complex time signatures and roaring choruses; the slide guitars and Sufjan-esque harmonies of ‘Shiver’; the brooding, atmospheric ‘Place’, the powerful, urgent drumming of ‘Red Face’ and most recent single, the beautifully melodic ‘Bikes’.
An all new generation of artists will guest on a fresh recording of one of the most iconic albums of all time. Originally released in 1978, 'Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of the War of the Worlds' remains an award-winning landmark masterpiece that has continually won new fans, spending over 330 weeks on the UK chart to date, reaching No. 1 in 11 countries and selling over 15 million copies. Now, Jeff has embarked on a new interpretation with guest stars every bit as talented as their illustrious predecessors, bringing HG Wells’ classic novel to life once again on a new double album.
The shortlist for the MOBO awards 2012 has been announced, with Universal Music Publishing artists Plan B, Jessie Ware, Wretch 32, Angel, Conor Maynard and Alunageorge all in the running for an award. Plan B has been shortlisted in a total of five categories, including Best Male, Best Song, Best Album for ‘Ill Manors’, Best Hip-Hop/Grime Act and Best Video. Click through to listen to a playlist featuring selected tracks from nominated UMPG artists.
The Killers fourth studio album – and their first in four years – ‘Battle Born’ is released today, following on from the album’s lead single ‘Runaways’ which was released last week. The album combines elements of all three of The Killers' previous albums – the storytelling of ‘Hot Fuss’, the mythic Americana of ‘Sam’s Town’ and the pop nous of ‘Day & Age’. Speaking about the album, Brandon Flowers said, "Pound for pound, this is our strongest record, and I’m really excited about it. We’re starting to feel more comfortable being what we are. And we’re proud of what we are.”
The Barclaycard Mercury Music Prize nominations for 2012 have been announced, with Universal Music Publishing artists Jessie Ware, Plan B and Richard Hawley featured on the shortlist. Previous UMPG artists to have won the Mercury Prize include The xx for ‘xx’ (2009), Klaxons for ‘Myths of the Near Future’ (2007) and Franz Ferdinand for ‘Franz Ferdinand (2004)’. The 2012 winner will be announced on Thursday 1st November.
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.”