COUNTDOWN TO EUROVISION : Bulgaria

It's now just a few weeks before the curtain goes up on all the glitz, the glamour and all the questionable fashions of the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest. We're continuing our look at some of the entries that will be vying for this year's coveted crown at Moscow's Indoor Olympic Arena on May 14 and we'll continue to do so in the countdown to this year's competition. With video clips for some of the entries and live performances for the rest, introducing our next scintillating act.

BULGARIA : Krassimir Avramov - Illusion

Bulgarian singer/songwriter Krassimir Avramov will compete in the first semi final for Eurovision this year in the hope of making it through to the final of the competition on Saturday May 16. The clip begins with an army of armoured soldiers riding through the mist before a long-haired temptress lures one of the soldiers (who happens to be Krassimir) into a dark passageway. We suspect the original video to this features some rather graphic scenes, 'cause it fades to black on a number of occasions. But it's a very dark and intense clip.

SOMEONE'S MAKING A pOp COMEBACK!

Type 'Devilicious' into your Google search and you come up with all sorts of adult toy stores. But in the world of pOp, 'Devilicious' is about to mean something entirely different. 'Cause it marks the musical return of someone who's been away from the charts for a number of years. Who is it? We'll tell you tomorrow!!

VERONICAS UK RELEASE

Hot on the heels of their Japanese release 'Complete', and their top 20 success in the United States with single 'Untouched', the sisters Veronica are headed to Ol' Blighty to release their album 'Hook Me Up' there! And given the album was released in Australia two years ago, they're tacking a bonus track, 'Goodbye To You' on the end of the British album to give them something a little extra. ('Goodbye To You' is already available on the Australian iTunes store). It's been rumoured that the girls' third studio album is to be released in Australia by the end of the year.

THE BRITNEY TOUR POLL

Rumours abound that this young lady (above) is set to visit Australia later this year for her first Aussie tour. But promoters are reportedly nervous about bringing Britney's latest tour to Australia, wondering whether or not the Australian public will part with their hard-earned cash to see the singer mime her way through the show. So we thought... Let's ask you! Would you pay to see Britney Spears 'live' down under when she mimes the entire concert? The Britney poll is over there in the right hand column and we'll leave the poll open until May 31. Vote now! You know you want to.

DANNII TOUR POLL CLOSED

Well it was just over a month ago that we asked you whether or not you thought little 'Disco' princess (left) ought to tour this great brown land of ours. Should she do a club style show? Should she stick to the TV hosting? Well given the poll is now closed and the results are in, we think it's fair to say that Dannii should seriously start thinking about coming up with some concepts! Out of the four responses, 'You bet your sweet ass she should', 'I would like a nightclub style show', 'No, I'd rather watch her on the telly' and 'Who?', a combined 73% of respondents want to see Dannii touring. 14% of them would like her to stay on their television sets and 13% have no clue who she is.
Here's the breakdown;

1. You bet your sweet ass she should : 50 votes (59%)
2. I would like a nightclub style show : 12 votes (14%)
3. No, I'd rather watch her on the telly : 12 votes (14%)
4. Who? : 11 votes (13%)

THE AUSTRALIAN pOp CD NEW RELEASE SCHEDULE:

May 08
Akon – Beautiful (CD single)
Lily Allen – Not Fair (CD single)
Bertie Blackman – Secrets And Lies
Bloc Party – Intimacy Remixed
Ciara – Fantasy Ride
Cloud Control – Cloud Control (CD single)
Miley Cyrus – The Climb (CD single)
Eminem – We Made You (CD single)
Franz Ferdinand – No, You Girls (CD single)
Green Day – Know Your Enemy (CD single)
Jack Johnson – Brushfire Fairytales
Little Birdy – Confetti
Little Birdy – Confetti (CD/DVD)
OST – Hannah Montana : The Movie
Pink – Bad Influence (CD single)
Soulja Boy – Kiss Me Thru The Phone (CD single)
Jazmine Sullivan – Bust Your Windows (CD single)
Various – Eurovision Song Contest 2009
Various – Floorfillers : Party Anthems 2009
Various – Hip Hop : The Collection 2009
Various – Motown Love

May 15
Tori Amos – Abnormally Attracted To Sin
Tori Amos – Abnormally Attracted To Sin (CD/DVD)
Black Eyed Peas – Boom Boom Pow (CD single)
Busta Rhymes – Back On My BS
Eminem – Relapse (May 19 release)
Flo Rida – Sugar (CD single)
Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown
Jadakiss – The Last Kiss
Manic Street Preachers – Journal For Plague Lovers
Katie Melua – Live At The 02 Arena
Daniel Merriweather – Change (CD single)
Metallica – Broken, Beat & Scarred (CD single)
Shane Nicholson – Faith And Science
OST – My Year Without Sex
Various – Sessions 6
Various – Shameless
Various – Sweat It Out Vol.2

May 22
Chicane – The Best Of Chicane (CD/DVD)
Dash & Will – Out Of Control (CD single)
Hilltop Hoods – Chase That Feeling (CD single)
Kid Cudi – Day ‘N’ Nite (CD single)
Fedde Le Grand – Scared Of Me (CD single)
Marilyn Manson – The High End Of Low
OST – I Love You, Man
Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Scooter – Jumping All Over The World (DVD)
Simple Minds – Graffiti Soul
Tinted Windows – Tinted Windows
Various – Motown 50 Essentials Box
X & Hell – Million Dollar Sex Party

May 29
Jimmy Barnes – Live At The Enmore (DVD)
Eskimo Joe – Inshalla
Laura Izibor – Let The Truth Be Told
Jewel – Perfectly Clear
Diana Krall – Live In Rio (DVD)
Presets – Apocalypso (Tour Edition)
Paul Van Dyk – Best Of
Various – Skitz Rocks Vol.2

June 05
Black Eyed Peas – The E.N.D.
Wes Carr – Fearless (CD single)
Evermore – Can You Hear Me (CD single)
Shelley Harland – Red Leaf
PJ Harvey – 4-Track Demos
Jonas Brothers – Paranoid (CD single)
Cass McCombs – Catacombs
Daniel Merriweather – Love & War
Noisettes – Wild Young Hearts
Placebo – Battle For The Sun
Queen & Paul Rodgers – Live In Ukraine (DVD)
Sash! – Best Of
Taylor Swift – You Belong With Me (CD single)
Various – Crave Vol.2
Various – Feel Good Songs
Various – Pepsi More Music Vol.12
Various – Ultimate Hardcore Vol.5
Various – Ultimate NRG Vol.4

June 12
Datarock – Red
George Harrison – Let It Roll : Songs Of George Harrison
Hilltop Hoods – State Of The Art
Lil’ Wayne – Rebirth
Queen & Paul Rodgers – Live In Ukraine (CD/DVD)
Various – Club Classics Volume 2
Various – Disney Channel Greatest Hits
Various – Disney Pixar Greatest Hits
Various – Princess Party
Various – Retro Rage
Various – Retro Rage (DVD)
Vanessa Williams – The Real Thing

June 19
The Galvatrons – Laser Graffiti
Jonas Brothers – Lines, Vines and Trying Times
Lemonheads - Varshons
Savage – Savage Island
The Temper Trap - Conditions
Cortney Tidwell - Boys
Various – 101 ‘90s Hits (5CD set)
Various – Girlforce

June 26
Regina Spektor - Far
Yves Klein Blue – Ragged & Ecstatic

July 03
La Roux – La Roux

July 17
Riceboy Sleeps – Riceboy Sleeps

NB - all release dates subject to change & list is updated weekly

JEWEL FOR KIDS

It's only one week away, but US folk singer/songwriter and poet Jewel will release her brand new album 'Lullaby' in the United States on Tuesday. The new album, released in conjunction with toy manufacturer Fisher Price, will feature ten of Jewel's own compositions sitting alongside kids favourites like 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star', 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow' and 'Brahms Lullaby'. Meanwhile, the singer's previous album, the country-tinged album 'Perfectly Clear' will be released in Australia on May 29.

THE pOp RADAR

NEW ALBUMS COMING SOON:

ANNIE : DON'T STOP
MELANIE B : REIMAGINED
BASEMENT JAXX : SCARS
TONI BRAXTON : PULSE
VV BROWN : TRAVELLING LIKE THE LIGHT
ANDY BULL : ANDY BULL
CDB : THE FUNK SESSIONS
MISSY ELLIOT : BLOCK PARTY
EVE : FLIRT
FRANKMUSIK : COMPLETE ME
MACY GRAY : THE GRAY LIFE
DAVID GUETTA : ONE LOVE
WHITNEY HOUSTON : UNDEFEATED
NATALIE IMBRUGLIA : COME TO LIFE
ISRAEL : THE LEGACY
JEM : DOWN TO EARTH
JUST JACK : ALL NIGHT CINEMA
NICK LACHEY : COMING UP FOR AIR
MARIA LAWSON : EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER
JENNIFER LOPEZ : GREATEST HITS
MADONNA : GREATEST HITS
LUIGI MASI : SAVE HIS SHOES
MASSIVE ATTACK : WEATHER UNDERGROUND
LISA MITCHELL : THE ATTIC SPACE
JANELLE MONAE : METROPOLIS
MANDY MOORE : AMANDA LEIGH
N.E.R.D. : BEST OF
PAULO NUTINI : SUNNY SIDE UP
MICHAEL PAYNTER : THIS WELCOME DIVERSION
DANIEL POWTER : UNDER THE RADAR
RAEN : AFTER THE STORM
RÖYKSOPP : SENIOR
ROB THOMAS : CRADLESONG
WEST END GIRLS : SHOPLIFTING
SARAH WHATMORE : TIME TO THINK

PLUS: CHRISTINA AGUILERA, AVALANCHES, DANIEL BEDINGFIELD, NATASHA BEDINGFIELD, ALEXANDRA BURKE, ANTHONY CALLEA, JAMIE CULLUM, KATE DEARAUGO, DIRTY LAUNDRY, SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR, NELLY FURTADO, CALVIN HARRIS, KATE HAVNEVIK, PARIS HILTON, INFUSION, JAMIROQUAI, MIKA, SHANNON NOLL, PAULINI, RICKI-LEE, RIHANNA, KELLY ROWLAND, SALMONELLA DUB, THE SATURDAYS, SCISSOR SISTERS, GUY SEBASTIAN, JORDIN SPARKS, SHANIA TWAIN, THE VERONICAS, ROBBIE WILLIAMS

NEW SINGLES COMING SOON:

ALCAZAR : BURNING
ANASTACIA : DEFEATED
ANNIE : ANTHONIO
ZOE BADWI : DON’T WANT CHA
ANDY BULL : YOUNG MAN
WES CARR : FEARLESS
DIDO : QUIET TIMES
ALESHA DIXON : LET’S GET EXCITED
EVERMORE : CAN YOU HEAR ME
FLO RIDA : SUGAR
JAMIE FOXX : BLAME IT
FREEMASONS FTG. SOPHIE ELLIS BEXTOR : HEARTBREAK MAKES ME A DANCER
DAVIG GUETTA FTG. KELLY ROWLAND : WHEN LOVE TAKES OVER
JENNIFER HUDSON : IF THIS ISN’T LOVE
JUST JACK : EMBERS
KILLERS : THE WORLD WE LIVE IN
LADYHAWKE : BACK OF THE VAN
LA ROUX : BULLETPROOF
MARILYN MANSON : ARMAGEDDON
DANIEL MERRIWEATHER : RED
JAMES MORRISON : PLEASE DON’T STOP THE RAIN
JASON MRAZ : MAKE IT MINE
PAULO NUTINI : CANDY
KATY PERRY : WAKING UP IN VEGAS
PET SHOP BOYS : DID YOU SEE ME COMING?
SANTOGOLD : SAY A-HA
SATURDAYS : WORK
SIA : THE GIRL YOU LOST
TIGA : SHOES
ROB THOMAS : HER DIAMONDS

NB - all releases subject to change & list is updated bi-monthly

RETURN OF THE DIVAS

So now we know what Sesame Street characters look like with their heads ripped off!! It's been a number of years since America's VH1 brought together some of the finest voices in the world for their incredible 'Divas Live' event, and there have been many incredibly memorable moments over the years. BUT, they've decided that in 2009, the format is ripe for a re-introduction, so they're currently taking suggestions as to who viewers think should be part of this year's event, which is set to take place in the US on September 17. Furthermore, they wish to field suggestions for possible duets for the show. To add your two cents, simply head across to the OFFICIAL VH1 WEBSITE and hit the comments section right down at the bottom of the page.

TOURING : Evermore

Hot on the heels of the release of their brand new album 'Truth Of The World, the brothers Hume (with television sets in tow) will hit the highways of Australia from May in what promises to be a sensational and most comprehensive tour of the country. An incredible 31 shows have been announced so far, with dates in every state bar the Northern Territory. Tickets for all shows are now on sale.

May 25 : Ipswich (Civic Centre)
May 26 : Maryborough (Brolga Theatre)
May 27 : Bundaberg (Moncrieff Theatre)
May 28 : Mackay (Mackay Entertainment Centre)
May 29 : Townsville (Bombay Rock)
May 30 : Cairns (Brothers Leagues Club)
June 04 : Margaret River (Settlers Tavern)
June 05 : Bunbury (Prince Of Wales)
June 06 : Perth (Capitol)
June 07 : Fremantle (Fly By Night) UNDER 18s
June 07 : Fremantle (Fly By Night) OVER 18s
June 10 : Canberra (ANU Bar)
June 12 : Sydney (Metro Theatre)
June 13 : Newcastle (Bar On The Hill) UNDER 18s
June 13 : Newcastle (Bar On The Hill) OVER 18s
June 14 : Wollongong (Waves Nightclub)
June 17 : Balllarat (21 Arms)
June 18 : Bendigo (The Capital)
June 19 : Melbourne (The Palace)
June 20 : Frankston (Pier Hotel)
June 21 : Adelaide (HQ)
June 23 : Coffs Harbour (Hoey Moeys)
June 25 : Caloundra (Caloundra RSL)
June 26 : Brisbane (The Tivoli)
June 27 : Brisbane (Princess Theatre)
June 27 : Gold Coast (Twin Towns)
June 28 : Laurieton (Laurieton Services Club)
July 02 : Geelong (GPAC)
July 03 : Hobart (Wrestpoint Showroom)
July 04 : Launceston (Launceston Country Club)
July 25 : Melbourne (Hifi Bar) UNDER 18s

TOURING : Salmonella Dub

New Zealand outfit Salmonella Dub have announced a June/July Australian tour - their 30th tour of the country. Fans of the quartet will be able to catch their 'Freak Local' tour across the east coast of the country and will also be able to get their hands on a copy of the band's new 'Freak Local EP' at the shows, apparently the only place the EP will be available. The tour kicks off in Melbourne on June 25.

June 25 : Melbourne (Hifi Bar)
June 26 : Brisbane (Hifi Bar)
June 27 : Cairns (Tanks Arts Centre)
July 01 : Byron Bay (Great Northern Hotel)
July 02 : Byron Bay (Great Northern Hotel)
July 03 : Coolangatta (Coolangatta Hotel)
July 04 : Sydney (The Metro)

GRAFTON PRIMARY PLUS

Fans of Aussie dance outfit Grafton Primary were left hanging over the weekend after lead singer Josh Garden came down with a throat infection, resulting in both the Hobart and Melbourne shows on April 25 and 26 being postponed. Now the shows have been rescheduled - and beyond the rescheduled dates, the band has also announced a few extra shows - on the Central Coast of New South Wales, as well as in Carringbah and Wollongong. Tickets for all remaining dates are now on sale.

May 01 : Fremantle (Mojo's Bar)
May 02 : Perth (Amplifier Bar) SOLD OUT
May 06 : Melbourne (East Brunswick Club) RESCHEDULED FROM APRIL 26 SOLD OUT
May 08 : Hobart (Syrup)
May 09 : Hobart (Syrup) RESCHEDULED FROM APRIL 25 SOLD OUT
May 15 : Coolangatta (Kiss Kiss)
May 16 : Coffs Harbour (Plantation Hotel)
May 17 : Byron Bay (Great Northern Hotel)
May 23 : Central Coast (Woodport Inn) NEW SHOW
May 29 : Carringbah (Bizzos) NEW SHOW
May 30 : Wollongong (Waves Nightclub) NEW SHOW

NE-YO : Part Of The List

Don't you just hate it when you're out in public somewhere just minding your own business (but looking great) and you happen to bump into an ex you're still hung up on and they're seeing some new dishevelled looking person and looking deliriously happy and it makes you jealous because you think that perhaps if you'd treated them better or perhaps if it was another place and time that your relationship with them might have actually worked and you wander off with your tail between your legs thinking what might have been and it's thankfully all being captured on film for the purposes of making a video clip for your new single which is the fourth to be lifted off your album 'Year Of The Gentleman' and then it goes into some kind of weird flashback thing set in Europe in happier times with said person? No, us neither...

A TOTALLY FAIR LOCAL LILY SINGLE

We've just got details today of the new Lily Allen physical single which is being released locally on May 08. And the domestic 'Not Fair' single really offers up some value, with a b-side AND two remixes of the title track. Kudos to whoever at EMI Australia has slapped this one together 'cause it's gonna make waves if not domestically, then most certainly on export.

1. Not Fair
2. The Count (aka Hervé) And Lily Face The Fear (Explicit)
3. Not Fair (Di Angelis & Dobie 'Circus' Remix)
4. Not Fair (Style Of Eye Remix)

TOURING : Eskimo Joe

Just over a month out from the release of their latest album 'Inshalla', Eskimo Joe has announced a national tour in support of the new LP. And they'll be travelling all over the countryside, making plenty of stops in New South Wales and Queensland along the way. The tour kicks off on July 29 in Wollongong and will travel through New South Wales, the ACT, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland before winding up in Tasmania on September 03. Tickets for all gigs go on sale Monday May 04.

July 29 : Wollongong (Wollongong University)
July 30 : Sydney (Hordern Pavillion)
July 31 : Newcastle (Newcastle Panthers)
August 01 : Canberra (Canberra ANU)
August 07 : Melbourne (The Palace)
August 13 : Adelaide (Thebarton Theatre)
August 15 : Fremantle (Fremantle Arts Centre)
August 22 : Brisbane (Riverstage)
August 24 : Bundaberg (Moncrief Theatre)
August 25 : Gladstone (Gladstone PCYC)
August 26 : Rockhampton (Pilbeam Theatre)
August 27 : Mackay (Mackay Entertainment Centre)
August 28 : Cairns (Brothers Leagues Club)
August 29 : Townsville (Townsville Entertainment Centre)
September 02 : Hobart (Hobart City Hall)
September 03 : Launceston (Albert Hall)

COUNTDOWN TO EUROVISION : Slovenia

It's now just a few weeks before the curtain goes up on all the glitz, the glamour and all the questionable fashions of the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest. We're continuing our look at some of the entries that will be vying for this year's coveted crown at Moscow's Indoor Olympic Arena on May 14 and we'll continue to do so in the countdown to this year's competition. With video clips for some of the entries and live performances for the rest, introducing our next scintillating act.

SLOVENIA : Quartissimo ftg. Martine Majerle - Love Symphony

There's a lot of interest in violins again at the moment, what with Dutch musician Andre Rieu conquering the world one country at a time, so it seems fitting that at least one country would drag out the instrument for their song - and Slovenia has done just that. Croatian singer Martina Majerle adds a few vocals to what is essentially an instrumental track, but given Eurovision rules stipulate that each song must have lyrics, she appears in the entry.

JONAS BROTHERS AUSSIE RELEASES

They leave hoards of screaming girls gasping for air wherever they go, so mums and dads are warned... The next wave of Jonas Brothers hysteria is about to begin. The US tween-pOp trio will not only release their new live CD, 'Music From The 3D Concert Experience' this weekend, but Universal Music has today revealed release dates for the brothers' new album 'Lines, Vines and Trying Times' and the album's first single. The forthcoming album, the band's fourth, will be released in Australia on Friday June 19, while the first single 'Paranoid' looks set for release on physical CD single on Friday June 05.

A LITTLE BIRDY TOLD US...

Actually the header's not true - it wasn't a Little Birdy - it was the band's publicist. Anyway anyway anyway... Little Birdy is on the verge of releasing their brand new album 'Confetti' (due out on May 08) and to celebrate, they (along with their friends at Channel V and Myspace) are offering one lucky unsigned artist the chance to head to Melbourne and have a song produced by the band! Not only will the winner get holed up in the studio with the West Australian outfit for an entire day, they'll also have the day filmed and a music video created from the footage shot. Return airfares from any Australian capital city are included in the prize, along with hotel accommodation for one night. But you've got less than a month to get your entry in - the competition closes on May 22. For more information, head directly to Little Birdy's OFFICIAL MYSPACE PAGE.

DANIEL MERRIWEATHER : Red

The boy from Dandenong in the southern suburbs of Melbourne is finally making the world sit up and take note. From the smooth, effortless pOp of his Mark Ronson collaboration 'Stop Me' to his last single 'Change' and now his new single 'Red', Daniel Merriweather is going places, with or without the support of Australian radio. Close your eyes and listen to the new track and you'd swear it was a seasoned, aged African American soul singer belting out the track. Open them and you realise that the very un-African American twenty-something from down under possesses a true gift. A voice that's so full of emotion, so raw and so soulful, that it begs to be listened to.

NEWS WRAP

* Former Matchbox 20 frontman Rob Thomas has a brand new single out - and it's the first from his forthcoming album 'Cradlesong'. Warner Music in Australia has taken 'Her Diamonds' to radio this week. Universal Music, meanwhile has taken the new singles from Demi Lovato and Taylor Swift to radio this week.
* Speculation continues to mount that Pussycat Doll singer Nicole Scherzinger has decided to quit the pOpular girl group. It's been rumoured that the singer will finish up with the band at the end of promotion for their latest album 'Doll Domination'. Presumably that commitment also includes their forthcoming Australian tour, which kicks off in a couple of weeks' time.
* Ricki-Lee has arrived back in Australia following her writing trip to Los Angeles. On the singer's OFFICIAL MYSPACE page, she excitedly reports that her as yet untitled third solo record is set to be released later this year. She tells us the next chapter will feature a "NEW sound, NEW look, NEW woman to set loose on you all...so beware!!!". She hints that a new single won't be too far away.
* With Israel's kickin' new single 'Freak Tonight' already at radio in Australia, fans will be excited to know that the singer's new album 'The Legacy' looks set for a June release.
* And Jessica Mauboy is set to reveal the title of her next single, the fourth from her sensational debut studio album 'Been Waiting', on her TWITTER page within the coming days. The singer has reportedly headed back into the studio again to re-record sections of the next single.

TOURING : Liza Minnelli

We know she's more of a star of stage than of the pOp world, but given Liza (with a 'Z') Minnelli has been known to dabble every now and again in the world of pOp, including her famous collaborations with the Pet Shop Boys, we thought it wise to let you know that the gal's touring the country later this year. Liza will visit Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth in October and will perform one concert in each city, two in Sydney. And if you've been thinking it's been a long time since Liza came 'down under', you're absolutely right - the last time she toured the country was 20 years ago. Tickets for the tour go on sale on Wednesday May 06.

October 16 : Sydney (Opera House)
October 17 : Sydney (Opera House)
October 20 : Perth (Burswood Dome)
October 23 : Adelaide (Entertainment Centre)
October 25 : Melbourne (Rod Laver Arena)
October 30 : Brisbane (Entertainment Centre)

PLACEBO : For What It's Worth

UK outfit Placebo has unveiled the video for 'For What It's Worth' - the first single from the band's forthcoming sixth studio album 'Battle For The Sun' - on their OFFICIAL MYSPACE page. And the clip looks like someone's taken to it with one of those Dymo labelwriters, labelling everything in sight - from people dancing to injuries sustained, from band members to escaping tourists - they're all there, all hermetically sealed within a sub-three minute packet of power-pOp. And Brian's grown his hair! Shock Records will release the new Placebo album in Australia on June 05.

HOOBASTANK'S AUSSIE COLLABORATION

Who's that young lady there with the team from US rock outfit Hoobastank? Why, it would be the delightful Vanessa Amorosi, that's who - she recently caught up with the band in the United States to put down guest vocals for their forthcoming single 'The Letter'. The track is the lead single from the band's forthcoming album 'For(n)ever', which is set for release in July.
The band's lead singer Doug Robb was full of praise for his Aussie guest vocalist, "She brought a haunting yet powerful quality to the song that we think sounds great. The video was a blast to make as well. She rounded out the story perfectly and I finally got to trash a room. This is one of my favourite videos of ours so far. It looks amazing".
Both the single and the video will be released to media on Monday May 04.
Keep your eyes peeled on fansite VanessaAmorosi.net for all the latest!

CHART WATCH

It's a big week on the ARIA charts this week, what with a brand new No.1 single and a brand new No.1 album, so let's get into it and check out who finished up where...
SINGLES : After six weeks and rumours that lead singer Nicole Scherzinger has quit the band, the Pussycat Dolls have teamed up with AH Rahman to finally hit the number one position on the ARIA singles chart this week, selling 10,295 copies of 'Jai Ho' to reach the top spot. Former No.1 Flo Rida drops down to No.3, while Taylor Swift maintains a steady position at No.2. The return of rapper Eminem is on in earnest with his new single 'We Made You'. It's raced up into the top ten this week, coming in at No.6 on digital sales alone on the back of 7078 sales. Lady Gaga is into the top ten for the third time with fourth single 'LoveGame', while Miley Cyrus does what the title of her single suggests, climbing up 11 places to No.16 (3696 copies). Lonely Island is on a boat (apparently) at No.25 with 2590 sales, with Pink debuting with Australian-only fourth single 'Bad Influence' coming in at No.28 with 2120 sales. Pitbull is in at No.38 with 'Krazy' at No.1649 sales. Outside the top 50, there are debuts for Little Birdy ('Summarize' at No.54), Katy Perry ('Waking Up In Vegas' at No.56), Calvin Harris ('I'm Not Alone') at No.76 and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs ('Zero') at No.99!
PHYSICAL SINGLES : With no physical single for Jai Ho forthcoming, Flo Rida holds the top spot on the physical singles chart this week, selling 1394 physical singles. 3OH!3 joins the top ten brigade here too, moving up to No.7 with single 'Don't Trust Me' bagging 532 physical sales for the week. Two more new entries in the top ten come courtesy of Nickelback (No.8 - 420 copies) and Little Birdy (No.10 - 367 copies). Further down the chart, you'll find dance artist Rudenko in at No.40 with 'Everybody'.
DIGITAL TRACKS : It's the Pussycat Dolls on the digital pole position for the week - as we mentioned before - 10,295 digital copies of the track were sold last week to get them there. Eminem makes a big 15 place leap up to No.6 this week with 'We Made You' (7078 copies). Miley Cyrus is up to No.14 here (3696 copies) before the physical single is released. There are debuts at No.23, No.26 and No.35 from Lonely Island, Pink and Pitbull respectively (as mentioned in the 'singles' section, but Green Day is in at No.40 with new single 'Know Your Enemy' selling 1530 copies (though strangely, the song doesn't appear in the top 100 singles chart).
ALBUMS : So many debuts, so little time - there was plenty going on over on the album chart this week with Boyzone frontman Ronan Keating benefiting from a little promo tour last week to debut in the No.1 post with his album 'Songs For My Mother'. The album sold just shy of 11,000 copies (10,986 copies) to hit the top, so we know there are going to be a number of mums waking up to Ronan this Mother's Day (it's May 10, by the way). With vampire flick 'Twilight' now available on DVD in Australia, the soundtrack makes it's way into the top 10 - at No.7 with 3960 sales. 2007 Britain's Got Talent winner Paul Potts debuts in the No.8 position with new album 'Passione'. It scores 3876 sales for the week. Silversun Pickups debut at No.18 with 2107 sales, Andre Rieu's 'Masterpieces' debuts in the top 50 at No.24 (1617 copies). Outside the top 30, there's a No.33 debut for Troy Cassar-Daley (1351 sales), Depeche Mode's new album 'Sounds Of The Universe' sells 1142 copies to debut at No.36 and the soundtrack to the latest in the Fast And The Furious franchise comes in at No.43 with 929 copies in the bag.

OFFICIAL ARIA CHARTS

SCOOCH : More Than I Needed To Know

Just two years ago, four piece UK pOp act Scooch represented Britain at the Eurovision Song Contest in Helsinki with their single 'Flying The Flag'. But it was seven years ago that the band was at it's peak, with their equal biggest hit 'More Than I Needed To Know'. And where Pete Waterman was the genius behind the Steps phenomenon, it was his former cohorts Stock and Aitken that were behind Scooch. The things we love about this song are; the minor keys, the chorus, the video, the dance moves... what the heck - it's just a bloody great pOp song with a bloody great pOp video that would've been infinitely more successful for Scooch had Steps not got the jump on them.

THE auspOp DIARY

WEEK COMMENCING APRIL 27, 2009

Apr 27 : TIX ON SALE – Billy Ocean (Nationally)
Apr 28 : ALBURY - Idol Auditions (Convention Centre)
Apr 28 : SYDNEY – Andy Bull (Brass Monkey, Cronulla)
Apr 29 : BRISBANE – Paul Kelly (QPAC)
Apr 29 : BULLI – Andy Bull (Heritage Hotel)
Apr 29 : LAUNCESTON – Lior (Country Club Showroom)
Apr 29 : TIX ON SALE – Bliss ‘N’ Eso (Nationally)
Apr 30 : CALOUNDRA – Paul Kelly (The Events Centre)
Apr 30 : HOBART – Lior (Theatre Royal)
Apr 30 : MELBOURNE – Kate Miller-Heidke (Prince Of Wales)
Apr 30 : NEWCASTLE – Andy Bull (Cambridge Hotel)
Apr 30 : ROCKHAMPTON - Josh Pyke (Great Western Tavern)
May 01 : BRISBANE – The Living End (Riverstage)
May 01 : CAIRNS - Josh Pyke (Brothers Leagues Club)
May 01 : FREMANTLE – Grafton Primary (Mojo’s Bar)
May 01 : GOLD COAST – Paul Kelly (Twin Towns)
May 01 : HOBART - Sneaky Sound System (Hobart University)
May 01 : MELBOURNE - Idol Auditions (Flemington Event Centre)
May 01 : MELBOURNE – Kate Miller-Heidke (HiFi Bar)
May 01 : SYDNEY – Andy Bull (Hopetoun Hotel)
May 02 : BRISBANE – Kate Miller-Heidke (HiFi Bar)
May 02 : CANBERRA - Sneaky Sound System (UCU Refectory)
May 02 : MELBOURNE - Idol Auditions (Flemington Event Centre)
May 02 : MELBOURNE – Lior (Athenaeum Theatre)
May 02 : PERTH – Grafton Primary (Amplifier Bar)
May 02 : TOOWOOMBA – Paul Kelly (Empire Theatre)
May 02 : TOWNSVILLE – Groovin’ The Moo Festival
May 03 : 51st Annual TV Week Logie Awards
May 03 : BENDIGO – Lior (Capitol Theatre)
May 03 : CANBERRA – Andy Bull (ANU Bar)
May 03 : GOLD COAST – Little Birdy (Coolangatta Hotel)
May 03 : IPSWICH - Paul Kelly (Ipswich Civic Centre)
May 03 : MACKAY - Josh Pyke (Andergrove Hotel)
May 03 : MELBOURNE - Idol Auditions (Flemington Event Centre)
May 03 : NOOSA – Ripe Noosa 2009

COUNTDOWN TO EUROVISION : Estonia

It's now less than one month before the crowds flock to see all the glitz, the glamour and all the questionable fashions of the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest. We're continuing our look at some of the entries that will be vying for this year's coveted crown at Moscow's Indoor Olympic Arena on May 14 and we'll continue to do so in the countdown to this year's competition. With video clips for some of the entries and live performances for the rest, introducing our next scintillating act.

ESTONIA : Urban Symphony - Rändajad

Another one of only ten entries in this year's Eurovision competition to be sung exclusively in the country's own language, Estonia's entry, 'Rändajad' (translated into English as 'Travellers'), is a beautiful cello-laden mid-tempo track performed by Estonian six piece Urban Symphony. Here's a live performance of the track;

KELLY CLARKSON : I Do Not Hook Up

So there's Kelly - surrounded by toffee-nosed rich bitches with all their floral displays and flowers and champagne and pastels and she's thinking 'gosh, but I really don't want to be here... I wonder if that handsome young man pOpping his cork might like to whisk me away from all this?'. So then she does what any normal girl in her position at a society luncheon would do - she throws him on the table and attacks him, much to the horror of the other guests. Alas, it turns out to be a dream. Then, the singer's at the pub, making eyes at some smooth-looking pool-playing type on the other side of the room, thinking 'I wonder if that handsome young man getting his balls into the corner pocket might like to whisk me away from all this?'. So then she does what any normal girl in her position at a pub would do - she starts dancing wildly on the bar. Alas, she falls off and makes a complete ass of herself. But was it all a dream again!? You'll just have to watch to find out.

JESSIE JAMES : Wanted

Even before the opening verse it seems that young Jessie is indeed wanted, what with a bag bursting at the seams with cash sitting idly on the passenger seat of her Mustang convertible and two SUVs full of agents hot on her tail. But will they pull her over for not wearing a seatbelt or will they stop her for wearing an insy-winsy crop top? Will they indeed catch up with her? Only time will tell. It's a little bit country and it's a little bit rock and roll, but it's quite a bit of fun with a little something for the girls and a little something for the boys.

MELODY GARDOT : Baby I'm A Fool

Well here's something delightfully mellow for your weekend viewing pleasure. 24 year old singer Melody Gardot looks sets to take the world by storm with her Diana Krall-esque third album 'My One And Only Thrill'. But we just can't get over the singer's uncanny resemblance to pOp superstar Anastacia, before she lost her glasses and with them her international pOp powers. The video for Melody's new single 'Baby I'm A Fool' provides a startlingly beautiful taster of what to expect when her album drops at Australian retail on May 15. It's sensual, seductive, stylish, black and white and desperately beautiful. And if the album wasn't being released the week after Mother's Day, it would be the perfect gift for mum. Delightful and most definitely divine.

AUDIENCE WITH TINA ARENA AIRDATE

An Audience With Tina Arena, the program Tina shot on March 10 whilst in the country on a promotional tour for her Songs Of Love And Loss 2 set, will air on Foxtel's Bio Channel on Saturday May 02. The show, filmed at Foxtel's North Ryde studios in Sydney, is to be hosted by Molly Meldrum, and will feature the singer performing songs from her latest album as well as classics from her extensive back-catalogue. Tina will also be fielding questions from the celebrity-filled audience. The hour-long program airs on the Bio Channel on Saturday May 02 at 8:30pm.

FREE PAUL DEMPSEY

Were you thinking... who!? Paul Dempsey is guitarist and lead singer of iconic Aussie outfit Something For Kate and is set to release a brand new solo record in 2009 through EMI. But to give you a little taster, Paul is giving away 'Out The Airlock', the first track from the album, FREE from his official website until midnight on May 14. The as-yet-untitled new LP will be the singer's second solo release, following on from 1998's 'An Empty Flight', which he released under the name 'Scared Of Horses'. In the meantime, to get your hands on the new single, a beautiful, gently rolling guitar-based folk/pOp song, simply head to Paul's OFFICIAL WEBSITE and do as they ask before May 14.

A GIRLS ALOUD BOXSET!

As you can tell from our little header up top, we here at auspOp are massive fans of British girl group Girls Aloud. BUT, does that love extend far enough for us pay £65 (about $150 Aussie dollars) to be one of only 5000 in the world lucky enough to get their hands on this brilliant singles boxset, complete with metal case, videos, games, singles, rarities bonus disc and exclusive booklet? You bet your sweet ass it does... It's available for a strictly limited time from the girls' OFFICIAL WEBSITE.

NEWS WRAP

* pOp superstar Madonna has reportedly been holed up in a studio with respected DJ Paul Oakenfold, putting down tracks for her forthcoming greatest hits package, her last commitment to long-time record company Warner Music.
* Speaking of superstars, serial pOp balladeer Dianne Warren has revealed to a magazine in the US that she's written the lead single from the Whitney Houston comeback album. Entitled 'I Didn't Know My Own Strength', the single has yet to be scheduled for a release.
* Former Destiny's Child singer Kelly Rowland's collaboration with DJ David Guetta seems to be finding favour at local radio after going to radio in Australia this week. The track was co-written by stunning Melbourne girls Olivia and Miriam Nervo.
* Iconic Aussie act the Hoodoo Gurus have signed a brand new record deal with Sony Music. The deal encompasses the band's previous catalogue and will also see the band release a brand new album towards the end of the year.
* And speaking of Sony, they've revealed this week that a physical CD single for Pink's new Aussie single 'Bad Influence' will be released on May 08, two weeks before the singer hits town for her 'Funhouse' tour. The single, a two tracker, will also feature a 'Digital Dog' remix of the singer's previous hit 'Please Don't Leave Me'. The track was the No.1 most added at Australian radio last week, followed closely by Katy Perry's new single 'Waking Up In Vegas'.

MAGISTRATES : Heartbreak

We must admit to not knowing too much about Essex four piece Magistrates before this little video pOpped up in our inbox, but their new single 'Heartbreak' we like. It's full of that eighties-esque tinkly electro-pOp sound that's become so uber-chic at the moment and you can hear the Bowie and Prince, particularly on some of the act's other stuff on their OFFICIAL MYSPACE. The single 'Heartbreak', however, sounds like vintage Fleetwood Mac - think the mid-80s number 'Everywhere' and you won't be far wrong. And with more than a quarter of a million hits on their Myspace page, you know this is a band that's in a hurry to go places.

IN THE SHOPS FRIDAY APRIL 24, 2009:

3OH!3 – Don’t Trust Me (CD single)
David Campbell – Good Lovin’ : Live At The State Theatre (DVD)
Cassie Davis – Differently (CD single)
Alesha Dixon – The Alesha Show
Eskimo Joe – Foreign Land (CD single)
Keri Hilson – In A Perfect World
Eric Hutchinson – Rock & Roll (CD single)
Lenny Kravitz – Let Love Rule (20th Anniversary Edition)
MSTRKRFT – Fist of God
Phrase – Clockwork
The Presets – If I Know You (CD single)
Pussycat Dolls – Doll Domination 2.0
Carl Riseley – The Stillest Hour
The Script – The Script
September – Can’t Get Over (CD single)
Tydi – Look Closer
Various – Chilled 1991 - 2009
Various – Wild Weekends 2009

COUNTDOWN TO EUROVISION : Czech Republic

It's now less than one month before the crowds flock to see all the glitz, the glamour and all the questionable fashions of the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest. We're continuing our look at some of the entries that will be vying for this year's coveted crown at Moscow's Indoor Olympic Arena on May 14 and we'll continue to do so in the countdown to this year's competition. With video clips for some of the entries and live performances for the rest, introducing our next scintillating act.

CZECH REPUBLIC : Gipsy.cz - Aven Romale

We must admit to being a little confused about the video for the Czech Republic's entry for Eurovision this year. We didn't know whether someone had taken an old '70s movie and put the song over the top of it or what had gone on, but it appears to be the genuine article - so here 'tis. The award-winning four piece hip-hop outfit, who also performed at Glastonbury in 2007, will perform 'Aven Romale' ('Come In Gypsies') at this year's contest. The video is BIZARRE!

BENASSI VS BOWIE : DJ

What's that pesky Benny Benassi up to nowadays, we hear you say with slightly inquisitive tone? Well, by George, he's been remixing iconic performer David Bowie, cooking up a new version of David's 1979 track DJ and sprinkling a little of his spice over the top to turn it into a dancefloor stormer for a new generation. And what's more, the Italian DJ has used fair sized chunks of the original video to form this new one which has premiered in the last 24 hours.

BONUS BEYONCE

Less than 24 hours before tickets go on sale for Beyonce's forthcoming 'I Am' tour of Australia, promoter Michael Coppel has announced two extra shows for the singer's Australian visit - one in Melbourne and one in Sydney. The addition of the duo of new dates is due to anticipated demand for tickets for the concerts. All seven shows (including the two new Sydney and Melbourne dates) go on sale first thing tomorrow morning (Friday April 24).

September 12 : Brisbane (Entertainment Centre)
September 15 : Melbourne (Rod Laver Arena)
September 16 : Melbourne (Rod Laver Arena) NEW SHOW
September 18 : Sydney (Acer Arena)
September 19 : Sydney (Acer Arena) NEW SHOW
September 22 : Adelaide (Entertainment Centre)
September 24 : Perth (Burswood Dome)

JESS MAUBOY ADDED TO LOGIES LINEUP

Aussie R&B pOp starlet Jessica Mauboy is the latest addition to the entertainment schedule for this year's TV Week Logie Awards, to be held in Melbourne on May 03. The awards event, in it's 51st year, will be hosted by former Big Brother frontwoman Gretel Killeen and will be telecast on the Nine Network nationally. Jessica becomes the third musical guest to be announced for the awards and will join both Logie nominee Natalie Bassingthwaighte and international megastar Annie Lennox in performing on the night.

THE AUSTRALIAN pOp CD NEW RELEASE SCHEDULE:

May 01
Björk – Voltaic (Limited Edition)
Natalie Bassingthwaighte – 1000 Stars (CD single)
Kelly Clarkson – I Do Not Hook Up (CD single)
Fischerspooner – Entertainment
Renee Geyer - Reneesance
Ben Harper & The Relentless 7 – White Lies For Dark Times
Jonas Brothers – Music From The 3D Concert Experience
Lady Gaga – LoveGame (CD single)
Peaches – I Feel Cream
Rascal Flatts – Unstoppable
Sash! – Raindrops (CD single)
Songbirds – You’ve Got A Friend (DVD)
Tiga – Ciao!
Various – Bounce! Vol.2
Various – Neon Essential
Various – Weight Watchers Workout : Fitmix
Jenny Wilson – Hardships

May 08
Akon – Beautiful (CD single)
Bloc Party – Intimacy Remixed
Ciara – Fantasy Ride
Cloud Control – Cloud Control (CD single)
Miley Cyrus – The Climb (CD single)
Eminem – We Made You (CD single)
Galvatrons – Cassandra (CD single)
Jack Johnson – Brushfire Fairytales
Lenny Kravitz – Let Love Rule (20th Anniversary Edition)
Leena – Mean Old Clock EP
Little Birdy – Confetti
Little Birdy – Confetti (CD/DVD)
OST – Hannah Montana : The Movie
Soulja Boy – Kiss Me Thru The Phone (CD single)
Jazmine Sullivan – Bust Your Windows (CD single)
Various – Eurovision Song Contest 2009
Various – Floorfillers : Party Anthems 2009
Various – Hip Hop : The Collection 2009
Various – Motown Love

May 15
Tori Amos – Abnormally Attracted To Sin
Tori Amos – Abnormally Attracted To Sin (CD/DVD)
Black Eyed Peas – Boom Boom Pow (CD single)
Busta Rhymes – Back On My BS
Dash & Will – Out Of Control (CD single)
Eminem – Relapse (May 19 release)
Franz Ferdinand – No, You Girls (CD single)
Jadakiss – The Last Kiss
Kid Cudi – Day ‘N’ Nite (CD single)
Manic Street Preachers – Journal For Plague Lovers
Katie Melua – Live At The 02 Arena
Daniel Merriweather – Change (CD single)
Kevin Rudolf – Welcome To The World (CD single)
Tinted Windows – Tinted Windows
Various – Sessions 6
Various - Shameless

May 22
Chicane – The Best Of Chicane
Hilltop Hoods – Chase That Feeling (CD single)
Fedde Le Grand – Scared Of Me (CD single)
Marilyn Manson – The High End Of Low
Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Scooter – Jumping All Over The World (DVD)
Various – Feel Good Songs
Various – Motown Essentials Box
X & Hell – Million Dollar Sex Party

May 29
Eskimo Joe – Inshalla
Diana Krall – Live In Rio (DVD)
Cass McCombs - Catacombs
Presets – Apocalypso (Tour Edition)
Simple Minds – Graffiti Soul

June 05
Black Eyed Peas – The E.N.D.
Shelley Harland – Red Leaf
Daniel Merriweather – Love & War
Noisettes – Wild Young Hearts
Placebo – Battle For The Sun
Sash! – Best Of
Cortney Tidwell - Boys
Various – Crave Vol.2
Various – Retro Rage
Various – Retro Rage (DVD)
Various – Ultimate Hardcore Vol.5
Various – Ultimate NRG Vol.4

June 12
Datarock – Red
Hilltop Hoods – State Of The Art
Lemonheads - Varshons
Lil’ Wayne – Rebirth
Queen & Paul Rodgers – Live In Ukraine (CD/DVD)
Various – Club Classics Volume 2
Vanessa Williams – The Real Thing

June 19
Savage – Savage Island
Various – 101 ‘90s Hits (5CD set)

NB - all release dates subject to change & list is updated weekly

MINISTRY GOES OLD SCHOOL

The team at Ministry Of Sounds seems to have gone old school with the cover of their latest 'Sessions' compilation CD - 'Sessions Six', due for release in mid May. And this time around, they're giving you something a little extra. For volume six in the series, the Ministry team has decided to throw in an extra CD - taking this release to three CDs, containing an extraordinary 60 tracks. Disc one is mixed under the steady hand of Goodwill, while Tommy Trash and Dirty South take on discs two and three respectively and the tracklisting reads like a who's who of the international dance and pOp scenes; Calvin Harris, MSTRKRFT, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Bloc Party, Deadmau5, Fedde Le Grand and Fatboy Slim to name but a few.
Ministry Of Sound's 'Sessions Six' is due to hit stores on May 15.

MANDY MOORE : I Can Break Your Heart Any Day Of The Week

She used to be a pOp puppet, or so she claims in recent interviews, revealing that she had no say in what she was recording in the early days of her career when she hit the charts with singles 'Candy' and 'I Wanna Be With You'. But move out of the way, 'cause the girl is back with a new song - and one with the longest name since the Pet Shop Boys' 'I Don't Know What You Want But I Can't Give It Anymore'. But if you think Mandy's turned her back on pOp music completely, think again. The new single, the first from her forthcoming album 'Amanda Leigh', is actually a rather pleasant acoustic-pOp number which bounces along quite nicely. Having watched the video, however, we somehow think that it's not just hearts that Mandy's been going around breaking...

RISELEY HEADS INSTORE

Shaking off the Idol tag with his latest album 'The Stillest Hour', Australian jazz/pOp musician Carl Riseley is about to make mum's day with a series of in-store appearances throughout Australia. Carl will not only sign copies of his new album at each of the events, but will also perform selected songs from the new CD acoustically, including the highlight single from it, 'The Stillest Hour'. And while Carl will hit stores in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, Adelaide misses out - to a certain extent. But Adelaide fans are in for a treat. If you live in Adelaide, simply purchase your copy of 'The Stillest Hour' from The Muses, Dillons Norwood or Angus & Robertson Burnside before May 04 and you'll received two free tickets to see Carl performing live at Norwood Live on May 04. For the rest of the country, catch Carl performing and signing at the following times and locations;

April 24 : Melbourne (Myer Lonsdale Street) @ 1:00pm
April 26 : Sydney (Mall Music, Warringah Mall) @ 12:30pm
April 30 : Brisbane (HMV Upper Stage, Queen Street Mall) @ 12:30pm
May 02 : Melbourne (Borders Books, Highpoint) @ 1:30pm
May 06 : Perth (Sanity Garden City Shopping Centre) @ 4pm (signing only)
May 10 : Sydney (Sanity Macarthur Shopping Centre) @ 11:30am

'The Stillest Hour' is released into stores this Friday, April 24.

NEWS WRAP

* Reader Mark tipped us off about this, but following the re-release of three classic Stock Aitken Waterman albums in the UK last week, former SAW pOppet Sonia is about to release a brand new single in Britain - her first for almost 15 years. 'Fool For Love' will be released in the UK in late May, with a special fan-only CD single available from her record company's website.
* Another reader David saw on Wikipedia that the Freemasons/Sophie Ellis Bextor collaboration 'Heartbreak Makes Me A Dancer' would be getting a local release in July, the month after it's UK release. auspOp can now confirm that yes, the track is due to be released in Australia through dance label Vicious. They were responsible for releasing the single of 'Uninvited' down under. Meanwhile, a video for the single is reportedly being shot in London this week.
* Aussie pOpstar Gabriella Cilmi has been nominated for an Ivor Novello Award in London. The singer was nominated in the 'Most Performed Work' category for her single 'Sweet About Me', which she co-wrote and performed. She's up against Coldplay and Duffy for the gong, with the awards being handed out on May 21.
* And EMI Australia is set to release the Queen/Paul Rodgers live DVD 'Live In Ukraine' on June 12. The release will also be available in a limited edition CD/DVD format.

SOMETHING SLICK FROM THE SERGEANT

He's taken the spoon out of the jam and made the track his own. Australia's own Sgt.Slick has been hammering his way around the top few places of the ARIA Club Charts with his cover of the Jam & Spoon classic 'Right In The Night' for a few weeks - and it's now made it's way to radio. From what we hear, he's not used any of the original track whatsoever - recreating the song from scratch into something entirely new, but entirely familiar. The track's been in such high demand that it's already been licensed for release in several European countries. But back home in Australia, it'll continue to set the clubs alight before it's released digitally on Monday May 18.

COUNTDOWN TO EUROVISION : Serbia

It's now less than one month before the crowds flock to see all the glitz, the glamour and all the questionable fashions of the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest. We're continuing our look at some of the entries that will be vying for this year's coveted crown at Moscow's Indoor Olympic Arena on May 14 and we'll continue to do so in the countdown to this year's competition. With video clips for some of the entries and live performances for the rest, introducing our next scintillating act.

SERBIA : Marko Kon & Milaan - Cipela

You know something? Whack out the old piano accordion and it just screams 'Eurovision' to us - and that's precisely what this year's Serbian entry contains. Performed by vocalist Marko Kon and accordionist Milan Nikolic, 'Cipela' (or 'Shoe') jumps out at you, in particular through Marko's incredible bike helmet afro and deeper-than-Barry White vocals. And it's one of only ten songs in this year's competition that's being sung exclusively in the national language of the country. Big props to that.

PHRASE BREAKS COVER

The cover has broken on the artwork for the new 15 track album for rapper Phrase. The Melbourne based artist will release his second album, renamed 'Clockwork' this weekend. It's the artist's first long player release since 2005's 'Talk With Force' and features guest vocal appearances from the likes of Jackson Jackson, Daniel Merriweather and former Gotham artist Wendy Matthews.

NATALIE BASSINGTHWAIGHTE : 1000 Stars

Okay, so we haven't seen the video clip yet and we must admit to being slightly under-whelmed by the clip for Nat's last single 'Someday Soon', but we're willing to let bygones be bygones and move forward with a clean slate to have a look at the clip for single No.3, '1000 Stars'. Ooh, that's a lot of water - we should go pee first. Okay, back. Wait a minute, we wonder who that silhouetted figure walking along the beach could be...? By the power of Greyskull it's Natalie Bassingthwaighte and she's looking decidedly natural and beautiful as she wanders along the sand. Ooh wait! What was that!? There was a flash of pink and an image of Nat in what looked to be a disco. We continue... Somehow she falls to the tide and promptly goes for a swim - fully clothed, the silly girl. But it proves to be a god-send, 'cause some lucky photographer just happens to be in the area and she happily poses for a snap which would become the cover image for the single. And there's that flash of pink again!!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO US, NATALIE BASSINGTHWAIGHTE!? Oh there's more of the pink. And it comes. Come to think of it, it does add a wonderful level of contrast with the ocean shots. She's so attractive, we say...

COLDPLAYED BY GAGA

The Lady Gaga juggernaut rolls merrily along, with the singer pOpping into the BBC's Radio One to appear on their world renowned Live Lounge. Dressed like she was off to the Melbourne Cup, the singer treated fans to a live performance of Coldplay's recent hit single 'Viva La Vida'. And though the singer couldn't quite remember ALL the words, she impressed with her flawless vocal delivery. Gaga's next single 'LoveGame' is just outside the top ten in Australia this week, while her album 'The Fame' maintains it's spot atop the UK chart.