COMING SOON : futurePOP 2.0

We don't quite know who Liam Teer is, but earlier this year he created quite possibly the best compilation album in the history of Australian pOp music. We've seen the So Fresh installments come and go, we lived through the excitement every time a new 100% Hits or Hit Machine compilation hit the stores, but nothing could've prepared us for futurePOP, released back in March. It was choc-full of clever pOp; think Robyn, Roisin Murphy, Moby, Presets, Calvin Harris, The Killers, Groove Armada, Annie... Need we go on? Suffice to say, if this 41 track two CD set is not in your collection, as a pOp fan you are to head out to the nearest CD store (remember those) and purchase one without delay!
But we almost weed our pants with excitement today when we spied that a Version 2.0 of the futurePOP compilation has been set down for release on September 08. Mark it in your pOp diary/on your Christmas list now! If the first one is any hint as to what may be contained on the second installment, it's release will once again rock the pOp world to it's very foundations. We love you Liam!!

OUR 100TH pOp POST!

Well it’s taken us just over a month, but we’ve finally cracked it – 100 pOp posts! We decided in mid-May that pOp was totally and criminally underrepresented in Australia both at radio and retail, so we wanted to do something about it – to bring pOp music back to the masses ‘down under’. We decided to bring you artwork, news, reviews, hilarious pOp polls (like the Madonna one in the right column now), pOp clips and more – no rock’n’roll here, thanks very much - and we're scouring the world to bring it to you. •auspOp• is still a work in progress, and we always welcome your feedback and comments – what you’d like to see more of/less of, your favourite artists etc etc. You're always welcome have your say on anything you see on the site simply by clicking on the ‘comments’ link at the bottom of each post. Of course as you'll understand, to make sure that nothing can legally compromise the site, we filter each post for approval before it goes live.
Thanks for reading and for your support – hopefully we can continue keeping you at the pOp forefront for many years to come!

THE pOp RADAR

NEW ALBUMS COMING SOON:

ANASTACIA : MY VISION FROM MY GLASSES
ANNIE : DON'T STOP
BASSHUNTER : NOW YOU’RE GONE
BOYZONE : GREATEST HITS
CHEMICAL BROTHERS : BROTHERHOOD
DUKES OF WINDSOR : MINUS
VANESSA HUDGENS : IDENTIFIED
JENNIFER HUDSON : JENNIFER HUDSON
MICHAEL JACKSON : KING OF POP
MELINDA JACKSON : DESPERATE DOLLY
JEM : DOWN TO EARTH
SOLANGE KNOWLES : SOL-ANGEL AND THE HADLEY ST. DREAMS
ROBYN LOAU : ONLY HUMAN
JADE MACRAE : GET ME HOME
JESSE MCCARTNEY : DEPARTURE
DANIEL MERRIWEATHER : LOVE & WAR
BETTE MIDLER : JACKPOT - THE BEST BETTE
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK : BACK TO THE BLOCK
OASIS : DIG OUT YOUR SOUL
KATY PERRY : ONE OF THE BOYS
PUSSYCAT DOLLS : DOLL DOMINATION
SHAPESHIFTERS : DO NOT DISTURB
SNEAKY SOUND SYSTEM : 2
SHARLEEN SPITERI : MELODY
TRAVIS : ODE TO J SMITH
WEST END GIRLS : SHOPLIFTING
AXLE WHITEHEAD : LOSING SLEEP
ROBBIE WILLIAMS : LET’S SWING AGAIN
WILL YOUNG : LET IT GO

PLUS: ACE OF BASE, LILY ALLEN, ALL SAINTS, BANANARAMA, BASEMENT JAXX, DANIEL BEDINGFIELD, BEYONCE, KELLY CLARKSON, DIDO, JASON DONOVAN, SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR, WHITNEY HOUSTON, NATALIE IMBRUGLIA, INFUSION, KEANE, JESSICA MAUBOY, NO DOUBT, PINK, PUSSYCAT DOLLS, ROYKSOPP, SUGABABES, TAKE THAT

NEW SINGLES COMING SOON:

ALCAZAR : INHIBITIONS
LILY ALLEN : EVERYONE'S AT IT
ALPHABEAT : BOYFRIEND
VANESSA AMOROSI : MY HOUSE
ANNIE : GIRLFRIEND
BASSHUNTER : ALL I EVER WANTED
BOYZONE : WE CAN'T STOP THINKING ABOUT YOU
MARIAH CAREY : I’LL BE LOVIN’ YOU LONG TIME
CASCADA : BECAUSE THE NIGHT
CHEMICAL BROTHERS : MIDNIGHT MADNESS
GABRIELLA CILMI : DON’T WANNA GO TO BED NOW (AUS)
GABRIELLA CILMI : SAVE THE LIES (UK)
CRAID DAVID : OFFICIALLY YOURS
DUFFY : SERIOUS
ESTELLE : NO SUBSTITUTE LOVE
FRAGMA : DEEPER
FREEMASONS : WHEN YOU TOUCH ME
GOLDFRAPP : CARAVAN GIRL
HERCULES & LOVE AFFAIR : YOU BELONG
JEM : IT'S AMAZING
SOLANGE KNOWLES : I DECIDED
LADY GAGA : JUST DANCE
CYNDI LAUPER : INTO THE NIGHTLIFE
MADONNA : GIVE IT 2 ME
JESSE MCCARTNEY : IT’S OVER
BRIAN MCFADDEN : TWISTED
KYLIE MINOGUE : THE ONE
MISSY ELLIOT : BEST BEST
MOBY : OOH YEAH
OASIS : THE SHOCK OF THE LIGHTNING
PNAU : EMBRACE
PUSSYCAT DOLLS : WHEN I GROW UP
ROISIN MURPHY : MOVIE STAR
RIHANNA : REHAB
KELLY ROWLAND : BROKEN
SAME DIFFERENCE : BREAKING FREE
SHAPESHIFTERS : CHIME
ASHLEE SIMPSON : LITTLE MISS OBSESSIVE
SNEAKY SOUND SYSTEM : KANSAS CITY
SAM SPARRO : 21ST CENTURY LIFE
BRITNEY SPEARS : RADAR
WEST END GIRLS : WHAT HAVE I DONE TO DESERVE THIS
AXLE WHITEHEAD : ANYWHERE
WILL YOUNG : CHANGES

LENE : Pretty Young Thing

Oh sure, Tina Cousins may have been cavorting on a beach with a sexy young 20-something South African guy in her clip for the same song two years later (and in our humble opinion, we still reckon Tina’s remains the better version), but former Aqua lead-singer Lene wins the prize hands-down for the cleverest video. This was Lene’s second solo single following Aqua’s split in 2001 and features her stepping through a series of deliciously colourful magazine covers, complete with outfit changes, awesome props and perfectly executed animation. It’s one heck of a clever and most eye-catching pOp clip - we're sure you'll agree.

ROISIN MURPHY : Movie Star

A quirkier pOp goddess you're never likely to meet. Roisin's second solo offering 'Over-powered' was one of the pOp highlights of 2007, featuring goodies like 'Let Me Know' and 'You Know Me Better'. Enter now the video of the fourth single from Ms Murphy's album, 'Movie Star'. It starts off with a good old-fashioned bitch-fight and ends up with some kind of b-grade Halloween-style haunting of the streets of England, complete with one of the weirdest character line-ups since the last episode of Doctor Who. In between, she gets attacked by a giant lobster and then tucks into the neck of a red-faced monster. We've got to hand it to her - she knows how to make a video that's creative, colourful and tells a story.

NOW IT'S 'BANGLE LOAU'!

Earlier this week, we brought you the news that Aussie rocker Jimmy Barnes is to release his new album 'Out In The Blue' on a state-of-the-art USB wristband featuring exclusive content. Well imagine our surprise when in the very same week, the divine Miss Robyn Loau becomes the first Australian female solo artist to do the same! As also reported earlier this week, Robyn's lost album 'Malaria' was never released following a record company merger in 1997/98. As of next month, however, it'll finally be available on CD and now USB wristband.
The wristband (pictured above) will feature the full 'Malaria' album, interview, documentaries, a Josh Abrahams remix of 'Sick With Love' and bonus video clips. Both CD and wristband hit the stores on July 14.

BEDINGFIELD DANCEFLOOR ALERT!

Well here's a turn-up for the books... pOp siblings Natasha and Daniel are both heading onto the dancefloors, with previous singles from both Bedingfields being remixed, reworked and re-released. Let's first take a look at Natasha's offering. While Natasha is currently ensconced in the US top five singles chart with her track 'Pocketful Of Sunshine', this release is rumoured to be the lead single from Chicane's forthcoming 'Greatest Hits' compile. 'Bruised Water' mashes up Chicane's mammoth 1999 club smash 'Saltwater' with Natasha's moderate 2005 UK hit 'I Bruise Easily'. It works - particularly as they've kept some of Maire Brennan's original vocals to form the chorus/crescendo towards the song's end. Here's the vid;



Now here's Daniel's offering. Daniel achieved worldwide success with his single 'If You're Not The One' back in 2002 and even though it was remixed at the time by Metro (the song's producer Mark Taylor), it's now been given the '08 makeover by Sharam (producer/remixer Sharam Tayebi - one half of Deep Dish). The song is built around a sample of Dan's falsetto chorus of the original song and features new verses, vocalled by Daniel himself. It's these new verses that distinguish it from the original song. Still, the original 2002 track was such a powerful, emotive and extraordinarily well crafted pOp ballad that even then we didn't think it lent itself to being remixed. Let us know your thoughts after you watch the clip;

SNEAKY SOUND SYSTEM UPDATE

The Sneaky Sound System team is going to be particularly busy over the next few months, with a new single and album out in Australia, the release of 'Pictures' (with a whole new remix edit) and a hybrid album in the UK, a spot at the prestigious Glastonbury Festival today and a forthcoming Australian tour. Connie, Black Angus and MC Double D have never been busier! The new single 'Kansas City' will be released locally on July 14 followed on August 16 by the new album '2', so called because it's both their second album and because it marks two years to the day that the Sneakies released their debut LP. They tour Australia to promote the album throughout August, playing Brisbane (The Tivoli), Melbourne (Queensbridge Hotel) and Sydney (The Enmore Theatre).
On the other side of the world meanwhile, their debut UK single 'Pictures' has been given a 2008 makeover by Rich Costey (see video below) and will be released on single on July 21. An album, a hybrid of both their debut and '2' will get a UK release in September.

WHAT'S ALL THIS THEN, DARREN HAYES?

What at first glimpse may seem like a moody snap of an air show over the Gold Coast is actually a still image from another Darren Hayes DVD release. On the heels of Darren's 'Time Machine Tour' DVD, the limited edition of which you can purchase from his website from this Tuesday, comes 'This Delicate Film We've Made', a brand new 13-track animated sonic/visual feast.
According to Darren's Myspace site, "Each song has been remixed in 5.1 surround sound and then remastered to deliver a completely new experience of the music. Each video piece has been painstakingly put together over the last 12 months by animator Richard Cullen and onedotzero's Damian Hale. Featuring cutting edge visual techniques there's even one video that requires the viewer to wear 3D glasses provided (seriously!)"
More details are to follow, but it's expected the DVD will be released in November.

THE GREAT MADONNA DEBATE

Okay, we've had the debate about boybands - and it turns out that 65% of respondents say 'Take That' is the best boyband of all time. Now it's time to cast your vote to let us know which Madonna album YOU think is the best of her career. You'll find the poll over in the right hand column of the blog! Let us know! Perhaps you like the earlier stuff. Perhaps you like the r&b flavoured stuff. Perhaps it's the RAUNCH of 'Erotica' that floats your boat. Could it be the dancefloor disco of 'Confessions' or even the sticky and sweet offerings on 'Candy'?
Leave your comments on THIS post and go and vote in the right column! Which is the best Madonna album of all time? It's up to you, Australia...

BARNSEY BANGLES

You just KNOW it's been a slow week in the world of pOp when we're reporting that old Aussie rocker Jimmy Barnes is set to release his new album "Out In The Blue" on a new-fandangled USB bangle! But if that's what it takes to keep you up to date, then so be it! Fans can grab hold of the new technology on Barnsey's current (sold out) Aussie tour. The USB bangle features the album and a live concert, combined with exclusive audio and video content. It's the first time that an Australian solo artist has utilized this new technology. It's hardly pOp, is it?

Released Saturday June 28, 2008:

Alicia Keys – Teenage Love Affair (CD single)
John Mayer – Where The Light Is : Live In Los Angeles (CD/DVD)
Kelly Rowland – Daylight (CD single)
Various – Club Classics (3CD set)

Our apologies - Alphabeat's album "This Is Alphabeat" is NOT out now as previously published. Originally due out on June 30, it has now been pulled from the release schedule for the forseeable future. May we suggest importing it?

FORTHCOMING pOp CD RELEASES IN AUSTRALIA:

July 07
Cut Copy – Hearts On Fire (CD single)
Leona Lewis – Better In Time : Version 2 (CD single)
OST – Mamma Mia : The Movie
Various – Skitz Mix 29

July 14
Mariah Carey – Bye Bye (CD single)
Robyn Loau – Malaria : The Lost Album
Pussycat Dolls – When I Grow Up (CD single)
Sneaky Sound System – Kansas City (CD single)
Various - Ministry Of Sound : Anthems
Various – Ministry Of Sound : Anthems (DVD)
Various – Video Hits : Duets & Collaborations

July 21
Cristian Alexanda – Won’t Let You Go (CD single)
Gabriella Cilmi – Don’t Want To Go To Bed Now (CD single)
Darren Hayes – The Time Machine Tour (DVD)
Lady Gaga – Just Dance (CD single)
Madonna – Give It 2 Me (CD single)
Brian McFadden – Twisted (CD single)
Sharleen Spiteri – Melody
Various - Campest Clips Ever (DVD)
Various – Hed Kandi : Disco Heaven
Various – Wild Weekends 2008

July 28
Alex Gaudino ftg. Shena – Watch Out (CD single)
Kylie Minogue – The One (CD single)
Various – Floorfillers 4 (3CD set)
Various – OneLove : Neon Nights

August 04
Norah Jones – Live From Austin, Texas (DVD)
k.d. Lang – Live At The BBC (DVD)
New Kids On The Block – Summertime (CD single)
Various – Ministry Of Sound : Progression

August 11
David Campbell – On Such A Night As This
Nessa Morgan - Neska
Axle Whitehead – Anywhere (CD single)

August 18
Vanessa Hudgens - Identified
Sneaky Sound System - 2

August 25
Axle Whitehead – Losing Sleep

September 02
Michael Jackson - King Of Pop

(NB - all release dates subject to change and list is updated weekly)

GABRIELLA CILMI : Don't Wanna Go To Bed Now

Hailing from Dandenong in Melbourne's South-Eastern suburbs, Gabriella Cilmi has had an extraordinary dream run in the world of pOp for a debut artist. Her first single 'Sweet About Me' has graced the upper reaches of charts on both sides of the world - the number one spot on the ARIA singles chart and as high as number six on the UK singles chart. Her album 'Lessons To Be Learned' too has enjoyed similar success (number two locally, number eight in the UK). Curiously though, for her follow-up single, UK fans are to get a different single to Australia. Island Records in the UK are to release 'Save The Lies' as Gab's second UK single. But Warner Music in Australia is about to release this; 'Don't Wanna Go To Bed Now'. It's said to be instores on July 14, though given the single has only just gone to radio, we suspect it may be late July before we see it in-stores throughout Australia.
But this is your first glimpse of the brand new video for Gab's second Aussie single. It features great gloves, balloon popping, colour-changing microphones and drums, hard hats and the funkiest pair of boxing gloves we ever did see. We smell another hit...

UPDATE (June 28, 2008): The single release has been delayed to July 21.

JENNIFER HUDSON : Spotlight

The video for Jennifer Hudson's debut single 'Spotlight' has finally made it's TV debut. The single, already available on download in the US (and on iTunes here in Australia) is the first from Jen's forthcoming debut album, due in September. She looks amazing, she sounds amazing, there are no less than four in-your-face plugs for Campari and one for the iPhone. But for the life of us, we don't know how in the world she found her way out of that room. She has a rare gift.

COLDPLAY TOPS CHARTS WORLDWIDE

British rockers Coldplay are on top of the world after their album 'Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends" debuted at No.1 on the US Billboard album charts today. The band enjoyed sales of more than 720,000 copies in the United States after just six days in stores, a figure that follows on from similar sales in their homeland. This marks the second time the band has enjoyed the top spot on the US albums chart - their previous album 'X&Y' also debuted at No.1 in mid-2005. 'Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends" also sits atop of the charts in the UK, Australia and countless countries throughout Europe, amassing worldwide sales of close to two million copies in just over a week.
The single "Viva La Vida" debuted at No.6 on the ARIA singles chart this week and currently sits atop the singles charts in both the US and UK. In another first for Chris and the boys, the single marks the first time Coldplay has hit the number one spot on the UK singles chart and also the first time since the Spice Girls' 'Wannabe' back in 1997 that a British group has hit the number one spot in the US singles chart. Expect the success to continue after the band performed three free concerts in support of the album, the most recent in New York's Madison Square Garden on Monday.

NAT NO LONGER A ROGUE

Former Neighbours actress Natalie Bassing-thwaighte has today announced her departure from Aussie pOp act Rogue Traders. She joined the band in 2005 for their breakthrough album 'Here Come The Drums' and helped them to extraordinary chart success with hits like 'Voodoo Child', 'I Never Liked You' and 'Watching You'. The success of 'Voodoo Child' even translated to the UK, becoming a number three hit there. According to the news.com.au site, founder James Ash has said the band will continue on without Nat. "This is far from the end for the Rogues," he said. Natalie, now based in Los Angeles, is expected to focus her energy on her forthcoming solo career.

LONDON'S 46664 CONCERT

Dame Shirley Bassey has had to withdraw from Friday's '46664' concert in London after recent emergency stomach surgery in France. Said to be 'extremely disappointed', Dame Shirley was due to perform alongside Queen & Paul Rodgers, Amy Winehouse, Jamelia, Leona Lewis and Sugababes among others. But will Amy Winehouse join her in pulling out? Following her diagnosis with emphysema over the weekend, it wouldn't come as a shock. The concert, raising awareness of HIV/AIDS, is expected to attract a crowd of 46,664 people and will be hosted by Will Smith. Australian audiences don't miss out either - it will be televised on ABC1 this Saturday June 27 at 10:10pm.

BRIAN McFADDEN : Twisted

Former Westlife star and now Mister Goodrem Brian McFadden has quite literally slipped up during filming the video in Sydney for his new single "Twisted". So much so that a lovely new white Mitsubishi 'prop' police car had it's back window smashed, as you can see in this video snippet from the News.com.au website. Let this be a lesson to you kids - no climbing over police cars.
The single, produced by The Potbelleez, is released exclusively in Australia on July 21.

KATY PERRY : I Kissed A Girl

We reckon Katy Perry's got a bit of an issue with homosexuality and whether that issue is positive or negative, we're not yet sure. Touted as being the United States' answer to Lily Allen, she provoked immense controversy late last year when she dropped the single 'UR So Gay' at radio in the US. No one touched it with a barge-pole. Rightly so, given the lyrical content was deemed homophobic, "I hope you hang yourself with your H&M scarf" etc etc. So Ms Perry got a stern slap on the arse by the media and the record-buying public and has now, following the US lead, launched 'I Kissed A Girl' at radio in Australia. It'll be interesting if radio here follows the lead of the US on this one, given this single is currently enjoying phenomenal chart success, sitting pretty at the No.2 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. 'I Kissed A Girl' again explores the issue of homosexuality, this time from the singer's own perspective; "I kissed a girl just to try it/I hope my boyfriend don't mind it". But what's driving this 'gay' fascination? Could it be rebellion against her parents who are both pastors? Could it be a desire to get as far away as possible from the squeaky-clean image inherent in her Christian debut album "Katy Hudson" back in 2001? Could it be that she's been listening to one too many Queen records (she cites them as an influence)? We can't say, but mark our words, Miss Perry or Hudson or Katheryn, one more politically-incorrect foot wrong from you young lady, and we'll banish you from the column inches of •auspOp• for the rest of eternity. We watch with interest the next move.

ROBYN LOAU : Malaria

On top of the world after tendering her resignation as the lead singer for all-Aussie girlgroup 'Girlfriend' in 1994, Robyn Loau went on to release two smashing singles, 'Sick With Love' and 'Love Addiction', the former becoming a moderate #21 hit. Both singles were lifted from her completed debut album 'Malaria' which was serviced to media at the time to rave reviews, but never released. Robyn then disappeared from our collective pOp radars, taking time out to start a family. But thankfully Robyn's not been musically idle since 1994 - just last year her single 'She Devil' made it's presence felt in the ARIA Physical Singles top 20 in both New South Wales and Victoria on community radio play alone. Earlier this year, her cover version of The Korgi's 'Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime' was used as the theme song for Network 10's "The Biggest Loser" and more recently, Robyn's been working with Sydney DJ/Producer Josh Abrahams on a track called 'Hard' and on a new remix of her biggest solo hit 'Sick With Love'. But now, after incredible 14 year wait, Robyn's 'lost' album is about to see the light of day, when 'Malaria' is finally released to Australian retail stores on July 14. It's been a long time coming, but the old adage of "all good things to those who wait" must, in this case, most definitely ring true.

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

Okay, okay, we know they're both a little old now, but given the week in pOp is shaping up to be another bloody quiet one (we're having to make up all sorts, we'll have you know), we thought we'd have a bit of fun...

Version one



Version two



And discuss.

ALEX GAUDINO FTG SHENA : Watch Out

Okay, so what is an artist/DJ to do to cover for the fact that his new song is not only quite bland, but it also sounds suspiciously like his previous song, albeit with a different vocalist? EASY! Like a sheep, follow the tired old example set by other European DJs and employ a large number of scantily clad women to frolic about in the video, of course!! This time, they're on a soccer pitch, trapped inside a cyber game wearing the tiniest short shorts you ever did see. They'll catch their death of cold! Sadly for Mister Gaudino, the girls are about all this entire release has going for it really - and that in itself unfortunately is not reason enough to go rushing out to buy it when it hits the shops on July 28. Though we do have to admit, even though it IS black and white, we ARE quite loving the cover art for the single (above).

THE POTBELLEEZ : Are You With Me

As Sydney dance outfit Potbelleez continues to climb the UK chart with their previous single "Don't Hold Back" (at No.54 this week in ol' Blighty), they've been super-busy back here in their adopted homeland - remixing Brian McFadden's next single "Twisted". They've also thankfully found time to plop out their follow-up single "Are You With Me'. Usually the video for a release such as this would've been doing the rounds on the TV music shows for a month or more prior to the release of the single, but it's only in the last week that the video has made it's way to the eyes of the public and this is it - a most clever blend of just six colours; black, white, grey, aqua, yellow and orange. We think you'll agree it's been all but worth the wait.

MADONNA : Vogue

Without doubt one of the finest pOp releases of the 20th century.
The song was right, the clip was right, the artist was right, the time was most definitely right. 'Vogue', in all it's stylish glory single-handedly dragged a (then underground) style of dance kicking and screaming into the club mainstream. The song spoke to the masses, topping charts across the globe and in the process selling more than six million copies. It was danceable, it was accessible and the clip was not only extraordinarily stylish, it provoked criticism and discussion (not least because of Madge's see-through top). It was sexy, bold, black & white, it featured one of the most recognizable dance sequences of the past 40 years, and stills from the clip became and will forever be enshrined as iconic Madonna imagery.
And even though it was originally written to be a b-side for 'Keep It Together', after 18 years 'Vogue' still stands up as one of the most extraordinary pOp songs of all time.

Welcome to our very sneaky little Twitter prize link! See, we're wanting to reward you for following us here on Twitter, so we've been secretly hiding these little links on the site so that you can discover these great little Twitter-only prizes!

We have five albums up for grabs right now! YES! FIVE! And they're all with big thanks to Universal Music Australia!
So just send us an email containing your name and address to auspOp@ymail.com containing your name and postal address. Also include in the body of email the album (below) that you're interested in winning! It's that simple!

* Boyzone : Boyzone
* Lil Wayne : Rebirth
* Justin Bieber : My World
* Nick Jonas & The Administration : Who I Am
* Various Artists : Blazin' 2010

Competition closes at 11:59pm AET on Sunday April 25, 2010. One entry per person. Winners drawn at random. One lucky winner will win the Boyzone album, one will win the Lil Wayne CD, one will win Justin Bieber's album, one picks up the Nick Jonas disc and one will win the Blazin' 2010 compilation! Winners' first names and suburbs will be published on the site on Monday April 26, 2010. Good luck!!
And remember, we never pass any of your details onto anyone. Just us. And we delete them after the conclusion of the competition! YAY!

THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED

MICHAEL JACKSON : King Of Pop

To celebrate MJ's 50th birthday on August 29, SonyBMG Australia is offering Michael Jackson's Aussie fans the chance to choose the tracklist of his brand new Australian exclusive "King Of Pop" album, due for release on his birthday! 'King Of Pop' is to be released in two variations - a deluxe digipak version with poster as well as the traditional version. And what's more, you can even submit birthday messages for Michael that could be included on the final artwork in the deluxe version of the release!
Starting tomorrow (Saturday June 21), you'll have just three weeks to vote for what you think should be on the album - and remember, this will be an Australian exclusive tracklist, so best to get your thinking cap on! The release will also contain never-before-released material including a brand new Jason Nevins-produced Michael Jackson megamix. To get more details, check out the website or have a look at the awesome promo video (links below);

www.mj50.com.au

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1612750363/bctid1616703724

JONAS BROTHERS : Burning Up

One's 20, one's 18 and one's only 15, they're all presumably allowed to stay out 'til way after bedtime and yes, they're all brothers - and their last name? Robertson. No, we're kidding - it's Jonas. So however they came up with their name is a complete mystery to us. Please, meanwhile, have mercy on our souls for putting posts of two 'tween' acts back to back on •auspOp•, but the Jonas Brothers have JUST pOpped their brand new clip 'Burning Up' online and it's the first single from their brand new LP. An album a year since 2006 and these kids are taking the Disney-lovin' pre-pubescent record-buying girly-girl pOppers by storm. Their first album (2006) hit the dizzying heights of 91 on the US charts. Their second just one year later? No.5. And if that's any indication, expect their new album 'A Little Bit Longer', due in August, to do similar numbers.
We've watched the clip. And all we can say is that in between all the fun, frivolity and general splashing about that comes with a good ol' fashioned pool party, who the HELL* puts bloody electrical cables/sound equipment on what appears to be a floating pontoon, and then invites the boys' personal bodyguard 'Big Rob' who (as his name suggests) isn't the tiniest man ever to walk the earth, onto said pontoon to join them!? It's quite clear to us that those who conceptualized the clip are pushing the right buttons to ensure the boys won't be around to see their collective 21st birthdays... or perhaps the next clip...



* This is •auspOp•'s first 'swear'. 50 cents will be going into the swear jar for this one.

VANESSA HUDGENS : Identified

We know this artist won't be everyone's cup of pOp, but EMI Australia has today confirmed that it will release Vanessa Hudgen's sophomore album 'Identified' on August 18, seven weeks after the album's upcoming July 01 US launch.
Vanessa's debut album "V" sold more than one million copies throughout the world in 2006/2007, proving that her popularity extends well beyond her role in the highly successful 'High School Musical' franchise, in which she plays Gabriella. Not only will she be busy with promoting the new single and album, she's currently filming 'High School Musical 3 : Senior Year' and is also a spokesperson for personal care brand Neutrogena. All this while still at the tender age of 19.
Vanessa precedes the new album with the single 'Sneakernight', the video of which is below.
On the downside: The song's hardly a work of pOp art.
On the bright side: It features glow-in-the-dark laces.

Released Saturday June 21, 2008:

Dirty Laundry – Disco Infected (CD single)
Maroon 5 ftg. Rihanna – If I Never See Your Face Again (CD single)
OST – Skins 2
Rihanna – Good Girl Gone Bad : Reloaded Edition (Single disc)
Rihanna – Good Girl Gone Bad : Reloaded Edition (CD/DVD)
Sam Sparro – Sam Sparro
Various – Eurovision Song Contest 2008
Various – Now : Hits Of Winter 2008
Various – So Fresh : The Hits Of Winter (CD/DVD)

IDOL RECYCLING

This handsome young bugger (left) is 22 year old Ola Svensson. Ola was a top ten finalist on Sweden's version of Idol back in 2005. But imagine our surprise when we stumbled upon the video for his debut single and found that we actually knew the song. Furthermore, the production on this version sounded pretty much identical to the version we'd heard. Could this be another way that the worldwide Idol franchise makes money, we wondered? It was a number one hit for Ola in his homeland and was the first in a string of top five singles for him. Ola's most recent release in Sweden, "Love In Stereo" (which featured bagpipes no less) narrowly missed being picked as Sweden's official entry to Eurovision 2008, an honour which ultimately went to Charlotte Perrelli. But we digress. This single (the original) was a number one Idol hit here in Australia and went on to sell more than 140,000 copies.

IS THIS REALLY THE COVER ART FOR "THE ONE"?

We're a little concerned here at •auspOp• about what's happening over in the dorms of Camp Kylie. Supposedly this (left) is the cover image of the forthcoming Kylie single "The One". But we reckon it's not desperately glamorous, nor is it particularly original - it just looks like the "X" album cover. Team Kylie... Please... If you're looking for lovely cover art for "The One", why not use the image below? It's so much more original. Please have a rethink. And while we're having a whinge, why isn't the new Freemasons edit of the single available as a legal download from such outlets as iTunes now? People all over the WWWW (worldwide wicked web) are sharing it as we speak, robbing you of the pretty pennies you'll need to invest in your next album? Willy Baker? Help her please... We're concerned that Camp Kylie is losing it's (glittery) marbles.

See!? Isn't this one MUCH nicer? Cleaner, fresher, prettier, newer, more original. We thought so...

HERCULES & LOVE AFFAIR : You Belong

New York experimental pOpsters H&LA are back with the second single release from their self-titled debut album. Antony's taking a little holiday from vocal duties on this one, stepping back to let the mesmerizing Nomi have her turn. The clip's all very moody and is completely devoid of colour in any way shape or form. To those who've just eaten, however... We feel we must warn you about the desperately hypnotic hound's tooth check-patterned background, and for those with nervous dispositions, it's probably advisable not to look at the man with the scary eyes just before you pOp into bed...
See!? It's the "BOOGIE MAN"!!

FORTHCOMING pOp CD RELEASES IN AUSTRALIA:

June 30
Alphabeat – This Is Alphabeat
Alicia Keys – Teenage Love Affair (CD single)
John Mayer – Where The Light Is : Live In Los Angeles (CD/DVD)
Kelly Rowland – Daylight (CD single)
Various – Club Classics (3CD set)

July 07
Cut Copy – Hearts On Fire (CD single)
Leona Lewis – Better In Time : Version 2 (CD single)
Madonna – Give It 2 Me (CD single)
Ministry Of Sound – Anthems (DVD)
Various - Skitz Mix 29

July 14
Mariah Carey – Bye Bye (CD single)
Gabriella Cilmi - Don't Want To Go To Bed Now (CD single)
Robyn Loau - Malaria : The Lost Album
Pussycat Dolls – When I Grow Up (CD single)
Sneaky Sound System - Kansas City (CD single)
Various - Video Hits : Duets & Collaborations

July 21
Cristian Alexanda – Won’t Let You Go (CD single)
Darren Hayes – The Time Machine Tour (DVD)
Lady Gaga – Just Dance (CD single)
Brian McFadden – Twisted (CD single)
Sharleen Spiteri – Melody
Various - Campest Clips Ever (DVD)
Various – Hed Kandi : Disco Heaven
Various – Wild Weekends 2008

July 28
Alex Gaudino ftg. Shena – Watch Out (CD single)
Kylie Minogue – The One (CD single)
Various - Floorfillers 4 (3CD set)
Various - OneLove : Neon Nights

August 04
Norah Jones – Live From Austin, Texas (DVD)
k.d. Lang - Live At The BBC (DVD)

August 11
David Campbell – On Such A Night As This
Axle Whitehead – Anywhere (CD single)

August 18
Vanessa Hudgens - Identified
Sneaky Sound System - 2

August 25
Axle Whitehead – Losing Sleep

September 02
Michael Jackson - King Of Pop

(NB - all release dates subject to change and list is updated weekly)

LINDSAY LOHAN : Bossy

Gotta hand it to Lindsay Lohan - we don't know where she finds the time to record new music what with her various run-ins with the law, car accidents, stints in rehab, hospital visits, partying with Paris Hilton, arrests, community service and lesbian dalliances with Mark Ronson's sister Samantha. But she has, god bless her, and this is the result - "Bossy" - the first single from her forthcoming third studio album, due later in the year. She was quoted as saying that she wanted to head in the general "Kylie-meets-Rihanna" direction with her music and true to her word she has. Bad news for Lindsay is... The song's actually not that good. Many lesser artists would've relegated the track to "b-side" status. Many lesser artists probably would've left it on the cutting room floor. But Li-Lo has sent it out to US media and has made the track available digitally in the US. No word on an Australian release for this at the moment, but let's hope they skip it for something a little more worthy of airplay. No video for this either - just this still someone's put up on YouTube, but at least you can hear the track. Let us know your thoughts.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

We think there's something in that for all of us, don't you?
But did he just say, "ice melting, arse smacking"!!??? Oh what the kids get up to these days...

STEPS TO A pOp COMEBACK?

'90s pOp supergroup Steps is on the verge of reuniting for a UK tour. According to London's "Sunday Mirror", the band will reunite after almost seven years for a series of concerts throughout Britain later this year. Only Ian "H" Watkins is reportedly not keen to reunite with his fellow bandmembers, preferring instead to concentrate on his stage career. In a separate interview in London's "Sun" newspaper, Lisa Scott-Lee says that after having her first child, the timing couldn't be better. "Obviously I’ve just had Jaden, Claire’s had a baby and Faye will probably be next, but in between babies maybe there will be time for a Steps reunion,” she said.
Steps were somewhat of a pOp phenomenon between 1997 and 2001, selling in excess of ten million singles and 15 million albums throughout the world. They also performed one of the most successful tours in British history before tension in the ranks forced the band to finally call it a day on Boxing Day, 2001.
“We weren’t friends at the time – the split wasn’t so amicable. But it’s been a long time now and we’ve all moved on, we’re all good friends", said Lisa.
Watch this space. Okay that's enough space watching.

WEST END GIRLS : What Have I Done To Deserve This?

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Consider the Pet Shop Boys extremely flattered. After their sensational pOptastic 2006 debut "Goes Petshopping", Swedish pOp duo Isabelle and Rosanna (aka West End Girls) are on the verge of releasing their sophomore album, "Shoplifting". The first single to be lifted from it is "What Have I Done To Deserve This?" - a cover of the Pet Shop Boys/Dusty Springfield classic of the same name.
Though in place of Dusty and completing the role reversal, it features the vocals of Magnus Carlson of Swedish rock/pop group "Weeping Willows". No word yet on release dates for either single OR album, but we can almost guarantee it won't get a local release... :(

DUFFY WINS "SONG OF THE YEAR"

24 year old Welsh singer Duffy has taken out the "Song Of The Year" gong at the Mojo Magazine Awards in London overnight.
The 'Duffster' (let's face it, there are only so many ways we can say "Duffy") won for her massive worldwide hit "Mercy".
The former UK number one single has sold more than 500,000 copies since it was released and has resulted in huge sales for Duffy's album "Rockferry", which in itself is closing in on sales of two million worldwide.
The success of both "Mercy" and "Rockferry" has also resulted in the brilliant chart performance of Duffy's third single "Warwick Avenue", which hit the number three spot in the UK and went on to sell more than 70,000 copies.
Still no word on a follow-up single for "Mercy" in Australia, but the fourth single "Serious" is to be released in the UK in late August.

GOLDFRAPP TO TOUR AUSTRALIA

Hot on the heels of their September 20 gig in San Fransisco, UK electro darlings Goldfrapp are coming back to Australia, headlining as part of Parklife 2008. The good news is - the ninth Parklife tour will take in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. But the bad news is - the band won't be part of the Adelaide line-up.
Joining Goldfrapp on the tour will be Soulwax, Peaches, Martin Solveig, Dizzie Rascal and UK indie-pOppers Dragonette.
The dates and venues you need to know are;

September 27 : Adelaide (Botanic Park)
September 28 : Melbourne (Birrarung Marr)
September 29 : Perth (Venue TBA)
October 4 : Brisbane (City Botanic Gardens)
October 5 : Sydney (Centennial Parklands)

Tickets for the tour go on sale at midday on;

July 11 for Melbourne
July 14 for Adelaide
July 15 for Brisbane
July 16 for Perth
July 17 for Sydney

www.parklife.com.au

THE SATURDAYS : If This Is Love

Introducing the world's newest girl pOp group, "The Saturdays". Brought to you by the same people behind Girls Aloud, Frankie, Rochelle, Vanessa, Una and Mollie supported the 'GA' girls on their recent "Tangled Up" UK tour and are ready, willing and more than able to storm the pOp charts themselves with their debut offering "If This Is Love", due out in the UK on July 28.
Both Rochelle and Frankie were one-time members of the S Club franchise S Club Juniors (later S Club 8), Vanessa has spent time treading the boards in the theatre world, Una was a rock chick and Mollie has, in the past, been part of a couple of less successful girl bands.
In introducing themselves, the band has said that they are "pure pOp and proud of it", going on to say that the world of music has needed "a bloody good kick up the arse for some time now". And although we've heard this all before, only time will tell if The Saturdays have got to what it takes to make it through the week.
Check them out on their official site;

www.thesaturdays.co.uk