Music News

Iggy Azalea hopes to release her new "up-tempo" album later this year.
The 'Fancy' hitmaker has revealed she is hard at work on the follow-up to 2014's 'The New Classic' and is hoping to get it finished in the next few months after having to reschedule her spring tour until September due to "production delays."
She explained: "I didn't anticipate having any time to completely finish it, but now that I have kind of the time, I'd love to have an album at the end of 2015."
The 24-year-old singer - who recently worked with Britney Spears on the as-yet unreleased single 'Pretty Girls' - also spoke about the themes which will influence her next release, saying it will be a lot more "fun" and "girly" than her debut release, because that was all about the struggle of breaking into the music industry, which she has now done.
She elaborated: "My first album got pushed back so many times and it was really, probably like two years of recording on and off, not the entire time, but it was a real struggle and I think that was something that really like reflected in my album a lot -- I talk about trying to make it, trying to breakthrough.
"So my second album, now I don't have this problem. So I hope it's a little bit more up-tempo and just really fun. I just want to have something so summer and so girly, so loud and obnoxious and braggadocios."

Pharrell Williams believes the result of the 'Blurred Lines' trial "handicaps" creative people.
The song's co-creator, along with singer Robin Thicke, were ordered to pay $7.3 million (£4.9 million) to Marvin Gaye's estate for similarities based on inspiration, which is something the 41-year-old star says means artists have lost their "freedom to be inspired".
Speaking for the first time since the verdict was revealed, he said: "The verdict handicaps any creator out there who is making something that might be inspired by something else.
"This applies to fashion, music, design ... anything. If we lose our freedom to be inspired, we're going to look up one day and the entertainment industry as we know it will be frozen in litigation. This is about protecting the intellectual rights of people who have ideas."
"Everything that's around you in a room was inspired by something or someone.
"If you kill that, there's no creativity."
Despite the ruling - which claimed there were distinct similarities between the track and Marvin's 1977 hit 'Got to Give It Up' - the 'Happy' hitmaker has insisted neither himself or Robin did anything wrong.
He continued: "There was no infringement.
"You can't own feelings and you can't own emotions . . .[in music] there are only the notations and the progression ... Those were different."
However, the musician - who is married to model Helen Lasichanh - revealed they have not yet decided whether to appeal against the verdict.
He told The Financial Times newspaper: "We're working out our next steps right now."

Jake Bugg will compete in the inaugural Football Rocks Trophy.
The 21-year-old singer is among the many big-name acts who will compete at the event, which will raise money for charitable causes, at Notts County's Meadow Lane on May 16.
Looking forward to the day, Jake shared: "I love football and the lads and I have a game wherever we can when on tour. Growing up watching Notts County play at Meadow Lane with my Grandad I can't wait to play there with my mates in front of a good crowd and raise some money for such great causes.
"The team are organising a really great day and the atmosphere will be brilliant for all ages with plenty of surprise visits during the day, everyone's being so generous with their time."
As well as Jake - whose self-titled debut album reached number one in the UK album charts in 2012 - the much-anticipated day will feature the likes of The Enemy and Reverend and The Makers.
The 10-team competition will raise money for Jake's Robin Hoody Foundation, which aims to provide musical instruments to schools who are struggling financially, and the British Heart Foundation.
The day begins at 11am with gates opening at 10.30am and will culminate in the final match at 5pm. Tickets are only £10 plus booking fee for adults with children (under 7s purchased with an adult ticket only £1).
Tickets go on sale 9am Monday 16th February at www.nottscountydirect.co.uk or www.gigantic.com

Zayn Malik has reportedly left One Direction's 'On the Road Again World Tour' due to "stress".
The 22-year-old singer pulled out of a commercial recording in Hong Kong today (19.03.15) and has flown back to the UK due to the stress of media speculation on his private life.
A spokesman for the band told The Sun newspaper: "Zayn has signed off with stress and is flying back to the UK to recuperate. The band wish him well and will continue with their performances in Manila and Jakarta."
His departure comes just hours after the 'Steal My Girl' hitmaker was forced to assure fans he had not cheated on his fiancé Perrie Edwards of Little Mix, having been spotted getting close with another woman while on a night out in Phuket, Thailand.
Taking to his Twitter account on Wednesday evening (18.03.15) he said: "I'm 22 years old... I love a girl named Perrie Edwards. And there's a lot of jealous fucks in this world I'm sorry for what it looks like x (sic)."
Zayn - who was to pay a £3,000 bond in order to enter the Philippines this weekend following his previous rumoured drug use - will now be absent from the band's next three performances in Asia, but is expected to rejoin Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan for their show in Cape Town, South Africa, on March 28.
Speaking about the reasons for his temporary departure from the tour, a source said: "Zayn finds it tougher than the rest of his band-mates dealing with fame.
"Having his every movement scrutinised causes great anxiety and the pictures which surfaced with the fan yesterday was the final straw.
"He did nothing wrong but the amount of criticism he received was simply too much. He needs to get away.
"The band's management accept he needs some time off so he's been sent home with their blessing."

Ed Sheeran is taking inspiration from Bruce Springsteen for his next album.
The 24-year-old singer-songwriter is currently working on his third studio LP following the success of 2014's 'x' - which has sold more than 2 million copies in the UK - and is being influenced by the iconic 65-year-old star's 1982 record 'Nebraska'.
He revealed: "One of my main inspirations for the next album is listening to 'Nebraska' by Bruce Springsteen, which has incredible songs simply played."
The 'Bloodstream' hitmaker explained he would like his next release to have a more intimate, acoustic feel than his last album, following in the footsteps of the 'Born in the U.S.A.' singer.
He said: "He made 'Born To Run' and could've followed it with another stadium record but he made an acoustic album.
"Most songs can be turned into stadium songs, 'Atlantic City' can be played in massive venues, so that's what I want to focus on, great songs."
But despite his global success as a musician, Ed doesn't see himself in the same category as other superstars, because of his different behaviour.
He told the Daily Star newspaper: "I am placed in it [that category] at award shows but I don't get mentioned in the same sentence as stars when it comes to music. My sales can match most of those people's, but I'm not mentioned in the same breath.
"It's about the way you portray yourself."

Jessie J may be forced to mime on stage due to her heart condition.
The 26-year-old chart topper has revealed she has been warned by doctors she needs to slow down on the amount of fast-paced shows she performs to maintain her health, which has posed a difficult dilemma for the star because she doesn't want to have to lip sync at her gigs.
She explained: "I don't know if I'm going to be in control to this as long as I want ... [The condition affects me] more often than people think ... You cover it up."
The condition mentioned is Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, which Jessie was diagnosed with at the age of 11, causing her to experience an irregular heartbeat, often leading to her feeling dizzy and suffering a shortness of breath.
Despite her worsening condition, the 'Bang Bang' hitmaker is determined to continue belting out her hit singles for as long as possible, even though it may have dangerous implications for her health.
When questioned on whether doctors have told her to tone down her shows, she told The Times newspaper: "Yeah, course they do, and I just go 'Meh, this is what I do'... I have prided myself in having got this far without having to [lip-sync], but if my career carries on moving at the pace that it is, I will have to lip-sync to be able to stay well. My songs are so big."
Meanwhile, Jessie recently cancelled the remainder of her Australian tour after coming down with a "sudden illness", although the sickness is not believed to be connected to her heart problem.
In a statement released earlier this week, she said: "Due to sudden illness I have unfortunately been medically advised to cancel my three remaining shows in Australia, so I can give myself time to rest and get better.
"If I could magic myself better and be there I would. I can't wait to perform for you all in the future."

Mariah Carey is set to record another Christmas album.
The 44-year-old singer has reportedly been asked by her new label Epic Records to create another collection of Yule Tide tracks in time for the holiday this year.
Her 1994 LP 'Merry Christmas' is the best-selling festive album of all-time and contains the now classic song 'All I Want for Christmas Is You'.
According to the New York Post newspaper, although Mariah is interested in the project she is yet to definitely agree to it.
Her next release will be an updated greatest hits collection comprised of 18 of her self-written number one singles and some new material, which will come out to coincide with the start of her Las Vegas residency, 'Mariah Carey No. 1s', at Caesar's Palace Hotel and Casino on May 6.
Earlier this month, it was revealed Mariah had been in the studio with her long-term collaborator Jermaine Dupri working on new tracks.
The producer posted posted a photo on Instagram with the caption "been in the studio all night with Mariah Carey", but it is not known if this music is intended for her new compilation LP.
Mariah and Jermaine's previous work together includes hit singles 'Always Be My Baby' and 'We Belong Together'.

Madonna thanked MNEK for working on her album by giving him a bag of lemons.
The 'Living For Love' hitmaker presented the London-based musician with the odd choice of gift after he co-wrote the track 'Hold Tight' for her new album 'Rebel Heart', but the star was pleased she also gifted him some chocolate peanut butter treats, as it is his favourite combination.
He revealed: "It was cool. It was a really nice session, she was really lovely. She gave me a bag of lemons! She gave me these really f**king vegany chocolate peanut butter sweets. I don't know how she knew I love chocolate peanut butter, but she did, and there it was there to eat in the studio."
The 20-year-old Grammy nominee - whose real name is Uzo Emenike - continued to say he was thrilled to get the opportunity to work on the iconic star's album, and was proud when he received such a positive reaction from her legions of fans.
He told Digital Spy: "I guess as the song ('Hold Tight') came out, her fans seem to respond it really well, so yeah, awesome! And she's a legend, and it's an awesome opportunity to work with someone like Madonna who's literally shaped the careers of so many artists that I've wanted to work with and that I look up to. She's the queen!"

Sir Paul McCartney will induct Ringo Starr into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The 74-year-old Beatles drummer is the last member of the 'Eleanor Rigby' band to receive the honour, as John Lennon, George Harrison and Paul have already been inducted, with his 74-year-old musician ushering in his bandmate for the 30th annual ceremony.
Speaking about the "recognition" of his work being inducted into the Hall of Fame, Ringo - who will release his 18th studio album 'Postcards from Paradise' later this month - said he is thrilled because it means he will finally be appreciated alongside his former bandmates.
He told Rolling Stone magazine: "It means, finally, the four of us are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame even though we were the biggest pop group in the land."
Other stars are also set to be celebrated at the event by being inducted, with Stevie Wonder speaking about Bill Withers, Fall Out Boy talking about Green Day, and Patti Smith introducing Lou Reed.
The ceremony will take place on April 18 at Cleveland's Public Hall, with other performances coming from Dave Grohl, Joe Walsh, Tom Morello, John Legend and Jimmy Vaughan.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is located in Cleveland, Ohio, and is dedicated to some of the most well-known and influential artists, with acts only being eligible to enter 25 years after their first release.