THE PURGE #17

• 16 year old Canadian singer songwriter Shawn Mendes is so hot right now. So much so, that after the premiere of his latest video exploded across the net last week, his record label has shifted the release of his debut album ‘Handwritten’ forward two weeks, not doubt in an effort to strike while the iron’s hot. ‘Handwritten’ will now arrive into stores on Monday April 13.
• Also shifting forward in recent days is Marina & The Diamonds’ album ‘Froot’. Originally due to drop early next month, the album made a surprise appearance at digital on Friday, no doubt in an attempt to negate the impact of the album’s recent leaking. ‘Froot’ shot straight to the upper reaches of the sales charts in the wake of its unexpected release.
• Altiyan Childs has released a new single. ‘Rise Up’, which feels a little influenced by some of Michael Jackson’s back catalogue, dropped at digital retailers yesterday and is the fourth taste of the singer’s forthcoming studio album ‘Born Before The Sun’.
• Icelandic band Of Monsters And Men have confirmed the June 05 Australian release of their new album ‘Beneath The Skin’. The album is set for release in both standard 11 track and deluxe 15 track editions, both featuring the lead single ‘Crystals’, which premiered in the early hours of yesterday morning.

• Could it really be 20 years for Perth outfit Jebediah? The band will celebrate the milestone with an album – fittingly called ‘Twenty’ – as well as a national tour. Out on May 29, the LP brings together a selection of the band’s most beloved tracks from their two decades. The tour, meanwhile, kicks off at the Metro Theatre in Sydney on June 05 and then makes stops in Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide, before they perform for their hometown fans at the Astor Theatre on June 26. Tickets are on sale from this Tuesday.
• Speaking of blasts from the past hitting the road, iconic Aussie outfit My Friend The Chocolate Cake will tour from late next week. They’re embarking on their ‘Back To Back, Track For Track’ tour, playing their first two albums in their entirety. The tour (so far) takes in dates at the Soundlounge on the Gold Coast, Powerhouse in Brisbane, Anita’s Theatre in Thirroul and Lizottes in Newcastle. Further dates are to be announced shortly.
• Sony Music has confirmed the May 22 release of the new Jamie Foxx album. Still untitled at this stage, the singer and actor’s fifth LP contains lead single ‘You Changed Me’, which hit digital retailers last week.

• Years and Years may have basked in the glory of the UK singles No.1 spot last week with their altogether excellent ‘King’, but they’ve already been prised out of it; by the new Sam Smith/John Legend duet version of ‘Lay Me Down’, which is this year’s official Comic Relief single. Years and Years only drop to No.2, however, with Flo Rida’s ‘GDFR’ coming in at No.3. Usher gets another top ten hit with ‘I Don’t Mind’ (No.8 on debut).
• It was perhaps the new version of Sam’s ‘Lay Me Down’ that’s seen his album ‘In The Lonely Hour’ surge back to the No.1 position on the British albums chart, in the process preventing Madonna from debuting in the top spot with her new album ‘Rebel Heart’. If she fails to improve next week, ‘Rebel Heart’ will be her first studio album in 21 years to miss the UK No.1 spot. Rebecca Ferguson still clearly has fans; her album ‘Lady Sings The Blues’ debuts in the No.7 position; her third consecutive top ten album. But it’s an unlucky No.13 for the new Blue album ‘Colours’.

 Australia's first stop for pop!