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Madonna releases new songs after leaks 0:38
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Madonna has released six new songs months ahead of schedule, upset that early versions had leaked online.
- Sky News
- 21 Dec 2014
- Entertainment
Her Madge ... Madonna released six tracks from her new album after a leak. Picture: AP Source: AP
The year 2015 is shaping up as a good one for music. Here’s why.
Madonna
Title: Rebel Heart
Released: March 10
POOR Madge. Hackers spoiled her party and she had to prematurely unleash six tracks from her thirteenth album. Since then even more songs have been released. Unfortunately while they’re OK, they’re more Hard Candy/MDNA than Confessions On a Dancefloor/Ray Of Light. Living For Love is her best first single from an album since Hung Up, but sadly that’s not saying much. As a rule Madonna works best with one collaborator (Mirwais, Patrick Leonard, Stuart Price, William Orbit) than writing with a string of people whose brains have already been picked by dozens of other artists. Hopefully she’s got some gems up her sleeve that haven’t been hacked yet.
BITTER PILL: Madonna’s Instagram rant over leaked tracks
THE WORST: 2014’s absolute stinkiest songs
No boundaries ... Mark Ronson, here with comedian Chris Rock, is widely collaborating for his coming album due out this month. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images
Mark Ronson
Title: Uptown Special
Released: January 16
THIS fourth Ronson album has had a pretty good introduction, with Uptown Funk his biggest hit to date. That’s partly thanks to Bruno Mars, Prince, James Brown and The Time. Uptown Special is not your average album — author Michael Chabon was recruited to write lyrics with everyone from rapper Mystikal to Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker (Daffodils is already online) then sing. Ronson and producer Jeff Bhasker also scoured Southern gospel churches for undiscovered vocal talent. Oh and Stevie Wonder guests on harmonica.
Mystery man ... Could this be the year perfectionist Matt Corby finally releases his album? Source: Supplied
Matt Corby
Title: TBA
Released: TBA
It’ll be four years this since Matt Corby released Brother, and two years since Resolution. There’s been talk of a Matt Corby album each year for the last three years, then nothing. Welcome to Corbytime. We know he worked with Ryan Tedder a few years back, who told this journalist Corby had the best voice of any male he’s ever worked with and their collaboration went in interesting directions. Perfectionist Corby can still do headline tours without even releasing an album, but surely this year’s the year. Surely?
Reinvention ... Timomatic - now going by birth name Tim Omaji - is aiming for art not chart. Source: News Corp Australia
Timomatic
Title: TBA
Released: TBA
While you weren’t watching, Timomatic has reverted to his birth name, Tim Omaji. Seemingly tired of just churning out dancefloor bangers, he’s left that to Justice Crew and is moving towards something more cerebral. Last October’s single Delilah was more Frank Ocean than Usher, a minimal groove with powerful vocals, more concerned with art than chart.
Don’t hold your breath ... Robbie Chater (centre in a 2006 pic) appears to be the last man standing in The Avalanches but a new album is apparently due this year. No, really. Source: Supplied
The Avalanches
Title: TBA
Released: TBA
We’ve heard it before, but this could be the year The Avalanches finally follow up 2000’s Since I Left You. It appears to be only Robbie Chater left in the line-up, but actual people have heard actual songs and the inside word is good. Daniel Merriweather recently posted on social media he was in the studio with Chater and said the new material was great, so there’s that.
Could this be his year? ... It’s been a long time between drinks for Daniel Merriweather, but he’s poised to cash in on the soul revival with a new album. Source: Supplied
Daniel Merriweather
Title: TBA
Released: TBA
Speaking of people who are overdue an album, it’s been five years since Love and War. And since then it’s fair to say the likes of Sam Smith and James Arthur have made the albums he hadn’t gotten around to making. Daniel’s been back in Melbourne, popping up on other people’s albums (Bliss N Eso, Diafrix) and even having Celine Dion cover his material and has performed a swag of new songs at various shows, including some absolute corkers. No word on whether his mate Mark Ronson is back on board, but it feels like with soul back in fashion, this is the year to hear that voice again.
DION DUMP: Merriweather slams Celine for not crediting him for track
Overdue ... Swedish DJ and producer Avicii has brought in some big guns for his follow-up to the hit, True. Source: Supplied
Avicii
Title: Stories
Released: n/a
Originally due this year, the follow up to True was held back due to Avicii’s illness. The fact that uneventful first single The Days, with Robbie Williams, didn’t set the world on fire wouldn’t have helped. Everyone from Jon Bon Jovi to Chris Martin, Serj Tankian to Matisyahu has been linked to guest vocal slots on Stories. The Stories World Tour kicks off in New Zealand and Australia with Future Music Festival, so you’d expect the album will drop sooner rather than later.
Man down ... The Temper Trap, now without guitarist Lorenzo Sillitto (left), are returning to the feel of the acclaimed debut album, Conditions. Source: News Limited
The Temper Trap
Title: TBA
Released: TBA
The Melbourne band lost guitarist Lorenzo Sillitto after touring their self-titled second album. He wrote that Sweet Disposition riff, but word is the upcoming third album reverts back to the feel of their debut, Conditions. Sources also say Dougy Mandagi is embracing his vibrato again. Record company boss Michael Gudinski has heard several tracks and has been raving about their strength. The band will showcase new material at hometown shows over the New Year period, with the album expected in the first half of the year.
All by myself ... Brandon Flowers promises a new direction for his second solo album while The Killers are on hiatus. Source: Supplied
Brandon Flowers
Title: TBA
Released: TBA
The Killers are having another break, which means Brandon Flowers can reactivate his solo career. His first, Flamingo, was effectively a surrogate Killers record. However for his new record he’s working with producer Ariel Rechtshaid, who’s made some weird pop moments for Kylie, Usher, Vampire Weekend, Beyonce and Sky Ferreira. Flowers has already said it’s different to his previous work. Colour us interested.
New soul ... UK singer Adele’s coming album has been linked with high-profile writers including Ryan Tedder and Phil Collins. Source: Supplied
Adele
Title: TBA
Released: TBA
The follow up to 21 (will it be 23?) was expected this year and there’s a string of writers linked to it, including Ryan Tedder and even Phil Collins and Diane Warren. Adele is now also working with pop man Greg Kurstin, according to reports, while Blur’s Damon Albarn is another unusual suspect believed to be writing with the British singer.
Promising ... Former Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher’s new album has the seal of approval from Johnny Marr. Source: Supplied
Noel Gallagher
Title: Chasing Yesterday
Released: March
Noel Gallagher’s second album as High Flying Birds was previewed by the great single In the Heat of the Moment. He’s also worked with Johnny Marr, who says the album is a new sound for the Oasis man, calling it a “cool, rolling clubby sort of feel.” We likey.
Welcome back ... British band Duran Duran are taking the best of the old - Nile Rogers - and the new - Mark Ronson - for their coming album. Source: Supplied
Duran Duran
Title: TBA
Released: TBA
Get excited — not only is Mark Ronson back on board (their last album with him was a major return to form) but they’ve reunited with Nile Rodgers, who produced their funkiest work in the mid `80s. Bizarrely ex Chili Pepper John Frusciante plays guitar on the record too.
Australia bound ... Rapper Drake may showcase new material on his coming Future Music shows. Source: AP
Drake
Title: Views From the 6
Released: TBA
The Canadian rapper casually dropped a handful of new songs online recently so he’s been in the studio following up 2013’s Nothing Was the Same. Will we get to hear new material when Drizzy plays in Australia for the first time for the Future Music Festival? Fingers and toes crossed.
FUTURE LINE-UP: Drake joins Avicii and Example at Aussie festival
Pioneer ... Daft Punk brought the spotlight back and Giorgio Moroder is capitalising with a new album. Source: Supplied
Giorgio Moroder
Title: 74 is the new 24
Released: mid year
Ushered back into view via Daft Punk, the electronic pioneer is releasing his first album in over 30 years. Vocalists include Kylie Minogue, Sia, Charli XCX, Mikky Echo, Foxes and Britney Spears. Kylie filmed a video recently, which fans believe may be for the album’s first single.
Will they?
John Farnham — The Voice is sourcing age-appropriate songs with Diane Warren keen to write for him. Hopefully the tour with Olivia Newton-John this year will get the juices flowing again.
Faith No More — new songs have been issued and fans are pleased, and it looks like they’ll no longer just be playing the old tunes live.
Fleetwood Mac — rumours suggest the band are back in the studio with the back in the fold Christine McVie. This is very pleasing news.
Courtney Barnett — the Melburnian has the world waiting to see what her album will be like. She hasn’t let us down yet.
Kanye West — it could drop tomorrow for all we know.
The Prodigy — a “violent” sounding new album is due in the first quarter of the year.
Red Hot Chili Peppers — let’s hope it’s better than their previous few albums. Word is promising though - Rick Rubin is not producing for the first time in years and even the band are saying they’re out of their comfort zone.
Rihanna — Usually an album a year type gal, we’re now overdue a Rihanna record by two years. There wasn’t even a Greatest Hits to tide us over. Kiesza is one of the gazillion artists linked to the project. Maybe she’s making her Sgt Peppers. Or not.
