Happy New Year!
Tonight was the first show of 2016 so it is only fitting that we take a look at what music this year is going to bring. With the announcements of release dates for albums to rumours of new material, the playlist was made up of artists with plans to create/distribute music in the near future.
Rachel Platten – Wildfire
Rachel Platten’s debut album released on 1st January has 12 tracks including her number one single Fight Song. In a press release Rachel said that it was the one on one connections with her listeners that she had which sparked her fire to write this album “Wildfire is for everyone who ever believed in me,”. She also will have a North American Tour which begins on February 26 in Dallas.
Tinashe – Joyride
Tinashe has promised a few high-profile special guests on this album, released on the 8th January, including a collaboration with Chris Brown called Player and also with Drake which she recorded for Aquarius – her previous album. The lead single, Party Favors, is one of her favourites and apparently should be released soon. In her own five words Tinashe describes the album as “Inspiring, exciting, dangerous, adventurous, explosive!”
Charlie Puth – 9 Track Mind
Charlie Puth’s debut studio album, 9 Track Mind, was originally scheduled to be released at the beginning of November but now set for 29th January. He has already featured on some hits including Wiz Khalifa’s See You Again and the album includes his collaboration with Meghan Tranoir Marvin Gaye.
Sia – This is Acting
Sia 7th Studio album, which Sia herself says is proactive and more pop, consists of songs which were written for other artists including Rihanna, Beyonce and Adele. Therefore the songs are not necessarily something she would say and that is why it’s called This Is Acting. Due for released on 29th Jaunuary the lead single is Alive.
Foxes – All I Need
The 2nd studio album for Foxes, All I Need’ due for release on 5th February. Apparently it is inspired by relationships and is a lot more emotional and stripped back than her first album. The second single released from the album is called Better Love which was co written and features the vocals of Dan Smith from Bastille, who have their own upcoming album on the way!
Bastille
Twitting a teaser trailer on 9th December the band announced the long awaited album will be out in 2016. During live shows they have been trying out new material with songs entitled ‘Snakes’, ‘Grip’ and ‘Hangin’. And with insider knowledge from an interview I did with lead singer Dan Smith, in his words it’s going to have ‘a more of a hard rock sound married with RnB’ and lots of guitar. If you want to hear what else Dan had to say about the album check out the interview here: https://bit.ly/1GBfHVW
Nick Jonas
Nick is planning to release his second album as a solo singer in February/March time. It will feature lead single, Levels, which Nick said was a “good introduction to the next step”. He also says that there will be more soul and R&B sounds with even hip hop influences in there.
Rihanna – Anti
Rihanna has been a very big teaser with her 8th album that fans have been eagerly waiting for about 2 years for! Recently she has started to put out video trailers on social media which are getting some fans excited while others more frustrated and just want her to release it already! But in a Glastonbury style Rihanna has announced their will be a world tour starting in February and tickets are on sale even though no one has heard the songs from the album yet! However, Sia has revealed that she has had some input on the album. After writing Rihanna’s hit Diamonds, she explained that Rihanna took 4 more of her songs but she’s not sure if they’ll end up on the album.
Major Lazer – Music is the weapon
The very quick follow up to Peace is the Mission, as Major Lazer’s previous album was only released last summer. Diplo announced this new album will include a track with The Weeknd and also with No Doubt’s lead singer Gwen Stefani. It’s also been said that Major Lazors 4th studio album will “have a few more club songs (and) a few more festival songs”. We may have to wait until festival season, in the summer for this album as it won’t be out until August / September time.
Gwen Stefani
Sounds like it’s going to be a break up album for Gwen Stefani as her divorce with Gavin Rossdale was a major inspiration. She had to force herself into the studio when all she wanted to do was stay in bed and cry! There is no name or release date for her next solo album but has been said it took her only 8 weeks to write most of it.
Iggy Azela – Digital Distortion
Iggy Azela announced the name of her next album on Twitter back in October when she corrected a fan during a conversation saying “digital distortion is not a song title, it’s the name of my album.” She has also announced there will be a tour but hasn’t given any more details on that yet. With no set release date yet, it’s likely it will be this year as she is finished on her part.
Ariana Grande – Moonlight
Ariana’s 3rd album and there’re lots of rumours going around about it including the release date which is said to be early January so could be very soon. Also rumours include which artists have collaborated on the album include Ne-yo and Demi Levato. The lead single Focus is out now but if you’re expecting the album to have the same sort of sound – don’t. Ariana has said it’s the only song on the album to sound like that and is a transition track from her previous album. She has also said the album is very honest, personal and special to her.
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran’s label are looking for a September 2016 release date for his third album, which Ed thinks is going to be “the really big one” as it’s “going to be better than anything [he] has ever done” and he has done some pretty good and successful things already so he has set his own bar high! But his aim for his third album is for it to be honest. Apparently there “There’s a lot more heart in it. It’s a lot more honest than the last record.”
Cheryl
Cheryl herself said she is “recording and loving R&B again” and said last year that there isn’t going to be an album this year but “looking more to be like next year” meaning this year, 2016! Depending on how inspired she is to start song writing or if she gets the right tracks depends on how long the process will take but she is definitely back in the studio. And she may even be joined my her old Girls Aloud band mates as it’s been reported that she wants to get them in as cameo appearance on her songs and is even planning on getting the girls back together for a new record!
One Republic
Working throughout the year last year on new music, One Republic are planning on releasing an album this year and it’s “the best thing they have ever done” according to band member Drew Brown. The album is going to have a unique sound that fans haven’t heard before as Ryan Tedder explains that they don’t like to “recycle the same sound” on their songs. It’s also been announced that a World Tour is to follow after the release of this album.
AlunaGeorge
There is no set release date or title for Aluna George’s second album yet, but there is one currently in the making and they have announced two song names: I Mean What I Mean and In My Life. Don’t expect them to sound too much like their hit White Noise though as Aluna has said their “music is not anywhere near ‘White Noise’ style wise”. So will be good to find out what their music style is in their next album!
Lady Gaga
Gaga’s management and label have both confirmed there will be new music from the popstar this year. It’s also been reported she will be working with producer Red One who also worked on Gaga’s tracks Just Dance, Poker Face Judas and Bad Romance. She’s also been spotted in the studio with Nile Rodgers, so we could expect some guitar sounds and maybe a bit of disco. Elton John has praised the album already as he has “heard some of it and (thinks) it’s absolutely fabulous”.
The Phoenix FM Club Guide
Date: 8th January 2016
Time: Open from 10pm
Event: Fridays
Location: Sugar Hut, Brentwood
Details: DJ Nimblefingerz plays the best in House and R&B music
Admission entry: £5
Website: www.sugarhutbrentwood.com
Date: 8th January 2016
Time: Open until 1.30am
Event:
Location: The Teriss Bar, Brentwood
Details: With resident DJ Shane Challenger.
Admission entry: Free
Website: www.theterissbar.co.uk
Date: 8th January 2016
Time: Open until 3am
Event: Kosho Fridays
Location: Kosho, Romford
Details: January sale – 50% off drinks.
Admission entry: Free before 11pm
Website: www.koshobar.co.uk
Date: 8th January 2016
Time: 10pm – 4am
Event: Entourage
Location: Fiction, Romford
Details: The freshest RnB and House brought to you by DJ Kicker, Craig B, Chris Vibes and Brad James.
Admission entry: £3 before midnight, £7 after
Website: www.fictionclub.co.uk/romford
Date: 8th January 2016
Time: Open until 3.30am
Event: CTZN Fridays
Location: Citizen, Chelmsford
Details: With DJ’s Sam Lashmar and Liam Bone
Admission entry: Free before 11pm
Website: www.twitter.com/ctznbar
Date: 8th January 2016
Time: Open until 4am
Event: Missoula Fridays
Location: Missoula, Chelmsford
Details: With resident DJ Ollie Weeks
Admission entry: Free before 10.30pm
Website: www.missoulachelmsford.co.uk
Date: 9th January 2016
Time: 10pm – 4am
Event: Circuit Saturdays
Location: Circuit, Romford
Details: With resident DJ’s Pete Nicholls, Terance Kay, Carbon Copy and Katie Goodman.
Admission entry: £8 online or £10 on the door
Website: www.circuitessex.com
Date: 9th Janaury 2016
Time: 8pm – 3am
Event: The Only Way Is Yates
Location: Yates, Romford
Details: DJ Darren Heath playing all the up to date anthems and more!
Admission entry:
Website: www.weareyates.co.uk/romford
Date: 9th January 2016
Time: Open until 3am
Event: Missoula Saturdays
Location: Missoula, Romford
Details: Brightly’s on the decks with the best tunes.
Admission entry: Free before 10pm
Website: www.missoulabars.co.uk/missoularomford
Date: 9th January 2016
Time: 10pm – 4am
Event: Tempted
Location: Miya, Chelmsford
Details: Resident DJ’s Nick Christoforou and Remedy playing the best of RnB, Hip Hop, House and Old School Garage.
Admission entry: Free before 11.30pm if on the guest list
Website: www.miyanightclub.com
Date: 9th January 2016
Time: Open from 9.30pm
Event: The Chicago’s Experience
Location: Evoke, Chelmsford
Details: Chicago’s DJ’s playing 80’s, 90’s and 00’s plus all your party favourites.
Admission entry: £6
Website: www.evokenightclub.com
