Music News

Cheryl Fernandez-Versini has embraced philosophy for her new album.
The 31-year-old pop star has featured an excerpt from philosopher Alan Watts on her new album, after being inspired by the guru during her musical hiatus.
'The X Factor' judge was inspired by the influential thinker after being introduced to his work by a friend last year, and feels it is so profound that she has added some of his words to her upcoming record 'Only Human'.
Talking about the moment she was introduced to the philosopher's work, she told The Sun newspaper: "It really made me think."
Expanding on why she was such a fan of the late philosopher, she explained that he posed questions which "a lot of people ask themselves when they're not sure what they want to do in life. He says 'Whatever you want your life to be, live it'. I was really moved by it".
The excerpt from an audiobook of Watts' work will open the stunning singer's fourth studio album, and reflecting on how money does not necessarily bring happiness.
In the introduction, Watts shares: "I always ask the question. What would you like to do if money was no object? How would you really enjoy spending your life? If you say getting the money is the most important thing, you will spend your life completely wasting your time."
The 'Crazy Stupid Love' singer's album will be released on November 7, preceded by the record's second single 'I Don't Care' on November 2.

Ashton Irwin has been discharged from hospital after having his appendix removed.
The 5 Seconds of Summer star underwent surgery at a medical facility in his native Australia on Tuesday (14.10.14) after developing appendicitis.
The operation was a success and he has now been allowed to return home to recuperate but he will not be well enough to travel to the UK for the BBC Radio 1 Teen Awards on Sunday (19.10.14) and will be taking a break from the band's commitments in Britain and Japan.
The 20-year-old drummer recently took to Twitter to tell his three million followers he would make it up to them for missing the shows.
He wrote: "Sup guys! I'm so sorry too anyone I've let down, I promise we will make it up too ya! I'll be better soon, thanks for all the love xx (sic)."
The 'She Looks So Perfect' hitmakers announced the news on their website earlier this week, writing: "Ashton has come down with a case of appendicitis and had to have an operation. He's doing great and will be back up & running in no time, but he'll need to rest up for the next week or so.
"Unfortunately this means that we'll no longer be able to fly back to the UK this weekend for the BBC Radio 1 Teen Awards. We will also be postponing next week's trip to Japan (more info to come soon). We are so sorry to everyone that had planned on seeing us. We were so excited to come see you all and we never want to make any of you sad ... We hope you understand!"
Ashton was struck down with the illness very suddenly, as just a day before he was hospitalised the young star claimed to be having "a blast" in is home country.
He tweeted: "Love you Aussies, good to be home, havin a blast xx (sic)."

George Ezra was "nervous" working with Sir Ian McKellen.
The 21-year-old musician admitted that he was anxious about acting alongside the 'Lord of the Rings' star as part of his music video for his single 'Listen To The Man'.
Talking to the Daily Mirror, George said: "It was nerve-racking trying to act beside him. I'm not an actor and he's phenomenal."
However, the singer-songwriter did joke that the legendary actor was a little off-putting because he couldn't resist hogging the camera.
George said: "He just keeps butting in and p***ing me off and stealing the camera. In real life, I hate being on camera but in the video, that frustrates me."
The soulful singer then invited Sir Ian to come to his next gig in Shepherd's Bush, to which the 75-year-old actor quipped: "Is there any chance you can play closer to Limehouse?"
On Wednesday (15.10.14), George made reference to an iconic quote from Sir Ian's 'LOTR' character Gandalf. He tweeted: "You shall not pass."

Jessie J says her parents are her "best friends" and are always totally honest with her when it comes to her career.
The 'Keep Us Together' singer says the first people she'll always call when she needs advice or support are her mother Rose and dad Stephen and even at 28 she still relies on them for help.
She told BANG Showbiz: "I have two best friends that go by the name of mum and dad, I actually like them as people. I know that isn't always the case. You don't choose your family. You love them but don't have to like them but luckily I like my mum and dad and my sisters and they're always there when I need them. Even if I phone them and go, 'I need to talk to you about work but I need to not talk to you about work. Talk to me about anything but Jessie J.' They're always there."
Jessie - who has just released her third album 'Sweet Talker' - says her parents aren't nervous about criticising her or telling when they think she's doing something wrong with her music.
The 'Bang Bang' hitmaker added: "They're always there for me when I need a hug or food in my fridge or an inspirational talk or even a telling off.
"I always phone my mum and dad and go, 'How was the interview? Was it OK? What did you think?' Or, 'What did you think of this?' And they're always honest. My mum and my best friend and two of the most honest people in my life.
"The other day I recorded an acoustic song and I was like 'How was it?' And everyone was like, 'Yeah that was wicked.' And my best friend said, 'I've heard you sing it better, I think you should do it again.' And I agreed. They're the people that I want around me. People that really are honest. I need that and that's what I have in my family, my team and my close friends."

Pink isn't worried about alienating her fans with her new country-folk project.
The 'Just Give Me A Reason' hitmaker has teamed up with her friend Dallas Green in duo You+Me and though they sound very different to her solo work, she thinks her loyal supporters will still embrace the group.
Asked if she is worried about alienating her fans, she told Billboard magazine: "I don't think about that stuff ever, ever. My fans are people that would follow me wherever I go. If I told them I was doing a f***ing jewellery line or a perfume, they'd go, 'Come on!'
"But this feels like something I'd do anyway. Whether it's Germany or Australia or Canada or South Africa or the US, they just want to feel something along with me."
The 35-year-old star admits she is always labelled for her "pop" sound, but insists she always tries to be diverse.
She said: "I've always tried to do different kinds of things within an album; I've always been easily labeled as pop-whatever."
Pink has been enjoying working with her friend in the recording studio because they are free from any pressure.
She explained: "This really was an opportunity to do something that I wanted to do instead of something I was obligated to do.
"No one was asking us to do this except each other. There was no record company saying, 'We're waiting for a record' or 'You should really do something like this.' It was just us being friends and loving each other and loving to sing."

John Legend wants to duet with Adele.
The 'All of Me' hitmaker is a huge fan of the 'Skyfall' singer and thinks their voices would complement one another well on a record.
He said: "I would love to work with Adele. She's one of my favourites and I think we would sound good together so that would be cool."
John is also a big fan of "supremely talented" Sam Smith and though he hasn't met the 'Stay with Me' hitmaker, they have been in contact.
He told Magic FM's Jo Parkerson: "I love Sam. Before his album even came out in the States my agent actually sent me an email and said you've got to check out this guy Sam Smith. He put us in touch with each other. We actually haven't met in person but we've emailed a few times and he's supremely talented. It always makes me happy when good soulful music is doing so well, because it just shows that there's hope."
The 35-year-old singer believes Britain produces "great artists" who have an appreciation of soul music that means they can create "beautiful" music.
He said: "Britain continues to produce great artists, particularly artists that I think appreciate soul music and appreciate how soul and pop can really be woven together in a really beautiful way"
Listen to the full interview with John Legend on Saturday 25 October from 3pm on Magic FM. www.magic.co.uk.

Mikel Ameen wrote his song 'Martina Luther Queen' to "empower women".
The rapper says the track - named after late civil rights campaigner Martin Luther King - is his attempt to promote equality in music and give people a message that isn't found in other pop music.
He told BANG Showbiz: "My song 'Martina Luther Queen' is about empowering women who are loyal. About women who own their womanhood. Women who are respectful and that's what is about and that's why there is a need to see a balance in what's represented in music. So it's not a war against pop music. I like to make music that represents all aspects of life - whether that is talking about a queen or something else. I've seen both so why only talk about one? And I hear too much of one side and not the other. So I've taken it upon myself to show a balance of what people want to see."
Although he writes socially aware lyrics, Mikel - who is the brother of 'Harry's Law' actor Aml Ameen - insists he isn't against pop music and is currently obsessed with Chris Brown's song 'Loyal'.
Mikel - whose 'World Changer Music' album is available now - said: "I love pop music, reggae music, hip-hop music, dancehall, an example I give is 'Loyal' by Chris Brown. When that song comes on in a party I dance to that and I sing it because it's got a good beat and to an extent its true what he's saying."

Nicole Scherzinger wants to work with Sam Smith.
The 'On the Rocks' singer claims she is the 'Stay with Me' singer's "biggest fan" and would love to team up with him in the recording studio.
She said: "I'm his biggest fan as I just connect with him on a really deep level. He's the most genuine person I've met. I'd love to work with him. There aren't many cats like him around."
Several songs on her new album 'Big Fat Lie' were written about her relationship with Lewis Hamilton - who she split from briefly last year - and Nicole insists it is a "true reflection" of her changing feelings.
She told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "It's a personal album to me.
"I'd say it's a reflection of how I've felt over the past couple of years. Sometimes love makes you feel amazing - it makes you feel like 'I need you and you need me.
"But sometimes it's like my song 'Run', when you have to run from your own fears and somebody that's getting on your nerves."
Nicole found it very theraputic pouring her feelings into song.
She said: "It's been a cathartic experience.
"Sometimes you wonder what you're doing it all for.
"Sometimes you feel so alone. But I've turned to music and I feel like it's taught me a lot."

Elvis Costello, Cyndi Lauper, Gloria Estefan and Kenneth 'Babyface' Edmonds' are being considered for the Songwriters Hall of Fame. The organisation has announced its 2015 nominees and also among the performing songwriters being considered for inclusi...