THE PURGE #10

• The new Zedd and Selena Gomez collaboration is just over two days away from impacting here in Australia. The track’s called ‘I Want You To Know’ (cover pictured left) and it forms the first cog in what will be Zedd’s forthcoming second album campaign. According to their local label Universal, the single will drop locally at 4:01pm AEDT (to be ridiculously precise) on Monday.
• No official word from their label Warner Music at this stage, but British band Blur will release a new album towards the end of April. Already available for pre-order, ‘The Magic Whip’ comprises a dozen new songs, including the lead grat track ‘Go Out’. ‘The Magic Whip’ is due on Friday April 24.
• Though there’s been no confirmation of timing at this stage, the gang at Sony has revealed that they’ll release the new Snoop Dogg (whatever happened to the ‘Lion’!?) album ‘Bush’ later this year. The new LP has been executive produced by man of the moment Pharrell Williams and will reportedly contain elements of “retro-futuristic funk topped with a feel-good mix of R&B and pop”.

• Lil’ rockers rejoice. While Reece Mastin has now officially parted ways with Sony Music, it’s been revealed he’s inked a new deal with the team at Social Family Records. “They’re really lovely people and are so supportive of my new music,” the singer said in a statement. “I feel like I’m where I belong right now. I couldn’t be happier to kick off this new phase.” New music is forthcoming soon, with an EP due in the coming months.
• Dan Sultan was popping the champagne corks this week, with news that his album ‘Blackbird’ has officially been certified gold for sales in excess of 35,000 copies. Dan’s now on the road as part of his national tour. Find out when HERE in the diary.
• Irish outfit The Script have confirmed that Tinie Tempah will be the support act for the band’s forthcoming Australian tour dates. The boys are on the ground here in April, with the run of five shows kicking off at Perth Arena on April 24.
• The APIA Good Times Tour is back for its third instalment in 2015 and it’s delivering upon national audiences the star power of Kate Ceberano, Brian Cadd, Glenn Shorrock and Joe Camilleri. They’re set to play 18 dates across the country, with tickets on sale from this Wednesday.

• No change to the top three on this week’s Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart, with Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars continuing to hold down the No.1 position with ‘Uptown Funk’. Rihanna, Kanye and Sir Paul’s ‘FourFiveSeconds’ heads a little further north (No.6 to No.4), while Ellie Goulding’s ‘Love Me Like You Do’ improves from No.9 to No.6. Taylor Swift’s ‘Style’ also hits the top ten; up to No.10 this week from No.18.
• Sam Smith may have cleaned up at the previous week’s Grammys, but it’s Drake who premieres in the top spot on this week’s Billboard 200 albums chart. ‘If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late’ debuts in top spot ahead of the ‘Fifty Shades Of Grey’ soundtrack (new at No.2) and Sam’s ‘In The Lonely Hour’. Beck’s Grammys win does wonders for his ‘Morning Phase’, which races from No.39 to No.8, while the Grammy nominees compilation improves from No.15 to No.9.
• Now you’ve got the lowdown on the US charts, no doubt you’ll be needing to know what’s happening back here at home. There’s a little segment on the site we like to call Chart Watch and in it, there’s a wrap of the Aussie top 100s. It’s live on-site tonight from 6pm AEDT.

TICKETS PLEASE
Monday February 23 : Backstreet Boys (Nationally)
Monday February 23 : Counting Crows (Brisbane)
Wednesday February 25 : APIA Good Times Tour (Nationally)
Wednesday February 25 : Earthcore 2015

 Australia's first stop for pop!