• It just missed the UK top ten this week (more about that in our UK chart section below), but it’s now Australia’s turn to fall under the spell of the new Iggy Azalea single ‘Bounce’, with Universal Music servicing the track to local media this week. It’s the latest single from the former Sydney resident’s forthcoming debut album ‘The New Classic’, which is due for release later in the year.
• Also doing the rounds this week are the new Jessica Mauboy single ‘To The End Of The Earth’, serviced earlier today, plus Justin Timberlake’s ‘Take Back The Night’, Youngblood Hawke’s ‘Dannyboy’, Elen Levon’s ‘Wild Child’ and an alternative mix of The Presets’ ‘Fall’. Keep up to date with the tracks whisked out to media this week by giving us a ‘Like’ over on FACEBOOK, where we’ll post a more comprehensive list for you tomorrow.
• Superstar Adam Lambert has confirmed in a letter to the Hollywood Reporter that he’s severed ties with his label RCA after they asked the singer to release an ’80s covers album. Adam confirmed in a letter to the publication that “While there are lots of great songs from that decade, my heart is simply not in doing a covers album.” He continued that he is “excited to find a new label” who shares in his career vision.
• Iconic reggae outfit UB40 will release their new album ‘Getting Over The Storm’ in September. The band’s 20th studio album is their first in three years and is a collection of both cover versions and original tracks. EMI will release it locally on Friday September 06.
• Chicago-based Punk outfit Rise Against will release a new compilation album on the same date. ‘Long Forgotten Songs: B-Sides & Covers 2000 – 2013’ contains 26 songs that the band says “slipped through the cracks” during the past 13 years. Pre-orders for the LP are set to begin later this month.
• Shock Records will release the Blu Ray and DVD of Santana and McLaughlin’s ‘Live At Montreux 2011’ concert in Australia late next month. The two master guitarists were captured in all their glory in high definition, with 29 tracks featured on the release. It’ll drop on Friday August 23.
• Jimmy Barnes has added a couple of extra dates to his forthcoming ‘Welcome To The Pleasure House’ national tour. He’ll also play Karratha’s Tambrey Tavern on Saturday September 21 and Port Hedland’s Walkabout Hotel on Sunday September 22. Daughter Mahalia guests on both dates.
• After seven weeks on the charts, Robin Thicke isn’t done with the British singles chart just yet, with his ‘Blurred Lines’ regaining the No.1 positions this week, relegating John Newman’s single ‘Love Me Again’ to No.2 after just one week. Our own Tommy Trash smashes the top three, with a debut for his, Sebastian Ingrosso and John Martin’s ‘Reload’. Lawson’s new single ‘Brokenhearted’ becomes the band’s fourth UK top ten hit (debuting at No.6) and the new Iggy Azalea track ‘Bounce’ premieres just outside the top ten (No.13).
• No stopping Jay-Z on the UK albums chart, with his ‘Magna Carta Holy Grail’ slamming the top spot on debut ahead of surging albums by Rod Stewart and Passenger. In fact, Jay-Z’s LP is the only new entry in the entire British top 40 this week.