LA ROUX 'S SYMPATHY FOR LITTLE BOOTS

Whilst Little Boots was tipped to conquer all before her in 2009 by various tastemaker polls and pop forums , its been Elly Jackson and her electropop cohorts La Roux that have stormed the charts this year.
La Roux have topped the charts with Bulletproof , whilst In For The Kill remained in the Top 10 for weeks , and add to that a Mercury Prize nomination for their self titled debut.
Little Boots on the other hand failed to land a Top 10 with debut New In Town , her heavily hyped debut Hands, despite going Top 5 has stalled in the lower reaches of the album chart. An expected Mercury nomination failed to materialise.
Even though new single Remedy is tipped to land her a first Top 10 hit , Little Boots has so far failed to live up to high expectations and next big thing hype. Truth be told , the general consensus is that Little Boots has been a notable flop , whilst La Roux are the ones sitting pretty at the top of the electropop tree.
Elly Jackson has claimed that the media places an overwhelming amount of hype and pressure on new acts to succeed and deliver the goods commercially almost immediately.
The reaction she got was so unfair. Hype can be a very dangerous thing, it can accelerate people's expectations," she told the Daily Star.
We felt the same about our album but we have got away with it."

Little Boots topped the BBC's Sound of Poll , their annual list determing who would be the biggest acts of the forthcoming year. In the past artists such as Duffy , Corinne Bailey Rae , Franz Ferdinand , 50 cent and the Scissor Sisters have all featured on the list and gone on to connsiderable success.
It seems this time around Little Boots has fallen foul of the hype , rather than thrive off the back of it. I'd expect her to make some ground up with Remedy charting highly. These sort of polls do generate an unprecedented amount of hype. However Boots is not the only hot tip for 2009 that has so far underperformed. The likes of VV Brown and Frankmusik have both stalled somewhat. But Frankmusik 's debut album Complete Me looks set to go Top 5 this weekend.
With 4 months of the year left to run , perhaps some if these acts will pick up the pace commercially. But in terms of new acts to conquer all , as determined by polls and music forums , it seems there'll always be winners and losers. And the likes of La Roux and Florence And The Machine seem to be winning.

ALPHABEAT GET SPELLBOUND

DirtyPop's favourite Scandipop misfits Alphabeat return in October with fab new single The Spell. Released on October 12th , their as yet untitled second album follows a week later on October 19th.
Much excitement as Fascination was , if not , the greatest pop single of 2008. All though its been a bit overwhored on the Coca Cola ads at the moment. We can forgive that given the joyous rush of blood that emanates from such a modern pop classic.
We'd expect more of the same sunshine pop from the forthcoming album to brighten up what will be a predictably gloomy winter. Breath baited for this return. Fascination indeed!!

LOOK OUT , KEISHA'S BEEN ON TWITTER AGAIN

Pop legend Keisha Buchanan has been letting off stea on Twitter. Keisha has become revered as regular tweeting but launched a tirade against negative criticism of her.
"I'm feeling sad today, there are some very mean people out there man, hating, bitchy, fakes who have knocked me down but only for today," she wrote.
"I'm going to get up tomorrow and not let their negative vibes hold me in this space. I'm not going to let them make me feel that being confident, loving my curves, my values, standing for something other then following the latest trend is wrong."
She added: "I know who I am, what I'm about. So they can keep trying to break my spirit so I can be as insecure as they are. But it will never happen.
"The thing that hurts most is when its those close to you. To all my Twitter friends don't let the haters keep you down.
"Chin up, keep pushing forward. Don't let them win because I won't either. They will be exposed in the end. And we'll be the last ones standing."

Aww bless her. As much as we love Keisha , theres a large majority of Sugababes fans who wiish her laptop was wrestled from her and Keisha kept off Twitter. Some of her recent tweets have seen her criticise section sof the Sugababes back catalogue , most notably 2007's Change album and revealing she hated fan favourite , last years Top 20 hit Denial.
One thing our Keisha is , is feisty and honest , free of the blandness and bullshit of some popstars. We say leave Keisha twitter to her hearst content. After all her Twitter is one of the must-folow Twitter pages.
Keisha will soon have reason to smile though. Get Sexy should land her another Number 1.

IWILL YOUNG'S GREATEST HITS ON THE WAY

Some would argue he's only had the one greatest hit and that was the epic Leave Right Now. But Pop Idol winner Will Young releases The Hits on November 16th.
Sevn years on from his reality tv victory , and with four albums , 4 Number 1's and 10 Top 10's , the singles retrospective comes a year after the underperforming Let It Go. We'd expect this album to sell by the truckload in time for Christmas.
Just a pity that Will's recent albums and singles especially have somewhat faltered chartwise. Indeed his last Number 1 was 6 years go with Leave Right Now. The song alone will b ethe mass appeal and selling point of this album. But lets not take for granted some of the underrated singles from Will. Who Am I , All Time Love and Grace will of course all be included along with two new tracks. And who can forget Your Game which was ludicrously deemed by the public as the Best British Single at the 2005 Brit Awards. Yes , this already forgotten Will Young classic was more popular than Jamelia's Thank You or Keane's Everybody's Changing.
How he'd long for such heady days now. or does he ? This greatest hits wraps up this chapter of Will's career nicely. But where does he go from here?Its become apparent that he's not the chart force he once was. A successful lead single off the hits compilation will be a huge boost. But theres plenty of scope for experimentation for his next record. But I'd wager it'll be a long hiatus before we see a new studio album from Will. For now enjoy a Greatest Hits album , that I'm sure many who saw him win Pop Idol would thought they'd never see.

The full tracklisting is as follows:

'Evergreen'
'Light My Fire'
'You & I'
'Leave Right Now'
'Your Game'
'Friday's Child'
'Switch It On'
'All Time Love'
'Who Am I'
'Changes'
'Grace'
'Let It Go'
'Bonus Track 1'
'Bonus Track 2'

TINCHY STRIDING TO ANOTHER NUMBER 1

Tinchy Stryder's rise and rise continues with new single Never Leave You hurtling towards Number 1 this weeked. The duet with Sugababe Amelle Berrabah comes just two months aftr Number 1 with N-Dubz hogged the top spot for over three weeks.
Technically this will make Amelle the first Sugababe to have a 'solo' Number 1. Mutya will be seething.
Its really been the year of the Stryder and we;d expect Cathc 22 , his forthcoming album to be a similar success. Its quite rare these days to have a UK male have two consecutive chart toppers in a debut year. Along with Dizzee Rascal and the much maligned N-Dubz , UK urban music seems to going from strength to strength. Tinchy could have a few MOBO nods when the nominations are revealed soon. A stellar year for UK urban acts and Tinchy appears to be the shining star.

GAGA AND BEYONCE TO CLEAN UP AT MTV AWARDS ??

Its gearing up to be ladies night at this years MTV Video Music Awards in New York next month. As expected Lady Gaga leads the race with a stunning 9 nominations , tying with Beyonce. Gaga's nods come for Pokerface in the main categories such as Video Of The Year , Best female Video , Best Pop Video and Best New Artist. The Jonas Ackerlund directed Paparazzi steals mentions in the technical categories for Cinematography and Art Direction. Its a phenomenal achievement for GaGa in her debut year and her first VMA's held appropriately enough in her beloved NYC. A triumphant homecoming or a night of snubs a la Craig David at the Brits , it remains to be seen but is highly unl.ikely
But shes got a fight on her hands in the form of one Beyonce. Her Single Ladies promo has become one of the most memorable videos of the year. We'd expect the bootylicious one to be a red hot favourite for Video Of The Year. The video has become a true pop culture moment for this year. I much preferred If I Were A Boy however. No confirmation on whether either ladies will be performing at this years bash , but expect both to steal the show and some prestigious moonmen.
Elsewhere , MTV's love affair with Britney Spears continues as Womanizer earns her a none too shabby seven nominations , including Video Of The Year. Spears won the same award last year for Piece of Me. Hard to see her repeating last years clean sweep , but given MTV's fondness for her , it would'nt be a surprise.
Other deserved nominees include Pink , Kings of Leon , Green Day , Bat for Lashes ,Coldplay , Taylor Swift , Kanye West and Eminem.
Shockingly , given the huge success they're enjoying globally and in the US at the moment following teir marathon run at the top of Hot 100 , the Black Eyed Peas haven't registered a single nomination.
We here at Dirty Pop expect Beyonce to clean up for Single Ladies , with Lady GaGa scooping a double at the least. I'd also expect Kanye to take one home. Watch the action unfold on September 13th and be sure to check back here for a full review of the bash hosted by sex pest and funnyman Russell Brand.

ROBBIE WILLIAMS -WE'VE BEEN EXPECTING YOU

After the car crash thatw as 2006's Rudebox , Robbie Williams will try to reclaim his pop crown with forthcoming album Video Killed The Reality Star. His seventh album is released on November 9th , with lead single Bodies released on October 12th.

Legendary knob twiddler Trevor Horn has produced the album with Don Taylor contributing songwriting duties. Robbie promises a monster of an album combiining old Robbie , new robbie and someone inbetween.

Theres no doubting that when Robbie gets it right , he gets it right and makes top pop music. Rudebox was a disaster with Shes Madonna the only possible saving grace.

2005's Intensive Care had its moments , but on the whole felt a bit flat. For us the last truly momentous Robbie single was Feel back in 2002. To this day , I've Been Expecting You remains our most beloved Robbie album with Sing When You're Winning not far off.

It seems Robbie has been around for an absolute eternity. Will the pop public welcome him back with open arms ? Love him or loathe him , I reckon so. Expect Robbie to storm the X Factor stage around the time of the albums release. hes totally ripe to have his songs make up a theme night. Theres still no UK male popstar around like Robbie.

Admittedly we were ready to give up on him and let him fester in LA, after Rudebox bombed. This could well be one of the more interesting pop records of the year and certainly one ofthe biggest returns. Expect Robbie to be welcomed back to the fold. In these times of dwindling album sales , Robbie is a proven seller. Does he still have it ? We;ll find out come November , in what is already shaping up to be a mammoth schedule for major releases.

ITS AMAZING WHAT SPLITTING UP WITH A TART CAN DO FOR YOUR POP CAREER

Hard to believe there was a time when Saint Peter of Andre was known as a popstar. Back in 1996 , he and his admittedly wanktastic six pack scored two Number 1's with Flava and I Feel You.
And then like most of the pop class of 96 , obscurity beckoned. Since his appearance on 2004's I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here , the media juggernaut of Peter Andre and Katie Price or Jordan to give the slag her real name have rarely been out of the papers. There were the awful reality shows , the cringey interviews . Quite simply the pair of them were one of the most grotesque couples in showbiz history. Admittedly the ratio of grotesque was emanating more from Jordan. She who seemed to wear the trousers. And little else.
Mysterious Girl finally made it to Number1 in 2004 at the expense of poor Jamelia. The follow up was of course , the Ivor Novello composition Insania , which somehow charted.

Now with the whirlwind of excessive publicity that comes with walking out on a marriage to everyones most loathed glamour girl , Peter Andre is relaunching his pop career. The peoples saint seems ike a nice guy etc. And god knows he must havehad the patience of a saint to marry that creature Price. But his whole comeback smacks of novelty. Nobody would've raise an eyebrow a year ago had Andre released a new single. But why should'nt he cash in on his new found popularity. New track Behind Closed Doors , with its accompanying video, is as expected all about Jordan. The voclas dont even sound like Andre. I'll be honest , I cant stand the track. And the thought of Andre making a comeback fills me with despair. The video was played hourly on The Box all day yesterday as if they were premiering some sort of long lost Michael Javkosn track.
The funny thing is , those that hate Jordan and have had Andre beatified will go out in their droves and send this hurtling to Number 1. Jordan will be seething obviously. If not Number 1 , then a definite Top 5 off the back of the mass coverage of the split.
His appearance as special guest at T4 On The Beach last weekend sent the crowd into a frenzy. Andre fell from the stage. It was the highlight of his short set. A shame that Andre was given exposure whilst Little Boots and VV Brown were ignored and left to play on the 4Music Stage.

Whether the newfound peoples champion Saint Peter of Andre can maintain any momentum to sustain a new pop career is questionable. But the whole Andre persona is cringeworthy and there are far more deserving pop acts who should be getting the type of airplay and support Andre and indeed Team Andre will be given over the next few weeks. Behind Closed Doors is the title of the track. But as we've seen throughout his shambolic , played out in public marriage , with Peter Andre , there were no closed doors. Or closed legs in Jordans's case. We saw and heard everything and we still are. As much as I hate Jordan , when and if this track hits the top spot , Jordan should be sent a bouquet of flowers and a magnum of champagne.
And the less said about the fllow up , Unconditional Love the better. Behind Closed Doors ? Somebody slam the door of Saint Petes pop comeback , for the sake of pop.

PINK AND PUNK FOR MTV BASH

After storming last years MTV Video Music Awards in LA , Pink has been confirmed to perform at this years bash on September 13th at the Radio City Music Hall in New York. Following the success of last years Funhouse album and subsequent tour , expect Pink to rake sin the nominations. Pink has previously scooped two moonmen in the pop categories. Her first triumph was in 2002 when she memorably picked up a gong for Get The Party Started whilst slightly inebriated. She won again in 2006 for Stupid Girls. Prior to that Pink was part of the superstar troupe of Christina Aguilera , Missy Elliott , Lil Kim and Mya who won Video Of The Year for Lady Maramaldae.
Green Day who cleaned up at 2005's bash will also perform a track from 21st Century Breakdown. Both Pink and Green Day join Muse and Taylor Swift as performers with Russell Brand once again taking the helm as presenter. NeYo and Katy Perry will be amongst the award presenters on the night. Expect the usual mayhem and mad collaborations on the night

EXCLUSIVE -SUGABABES "GET SEXY " VIDEO PREMIERE

One of the most eagerly anticipated pop returns of the year. Get Sexy is possibly the Sugababes best video since Denial.

The Sugababes , bless them dont often make great pop promos. For every Shape theres an About You Now.

Amelle however steals the show. And more power to her. Shes on the crest of a wave at the mo , what with the fantastic Never Leave You with Tinchy Stryder , possibly giving her a solo Number 1

Foeget the recession , the Sugababes are well and truly back.

THE DIRTY DOZEN -DAILY ROUND UP

• Alphabeat and Ladyhawke have been added to the bill of next months V Festival on August 22nd and 23rd
• Jade Ewen who represented and came third for the UK in this years Eurovision aims to shake off the Euro tag with nw single My Man on September 14th
• Frankmusik is refusing to take notice of his consecutively poor chart postions after Confusion Girl stalled inside the UK Top 30 saying hes just grateful to be in the industry.
• September releases Cry For You -The album next week , a compilation of her previous hit singles in Sweden.
• JLS will release Forever And A Day as the follow up to Beat Again.
• Manic Street Preachers embark on their first tour of the USA in ten years in September to promote current album Journal For Plague Lovers.
• Daniel Merriweather releases Impossible on August 17th , the third from platinum debut album Love And War.
• Mr Hudson has denied been spotted on a date with Rihanna after attending a film premiere in London together.
• The Saturdays have confessed they still have a long way to go before equalling the success of girlband rivals Sugababes and Girls Aloud.
• X Factor boot camp is in full swing with the judges expected to pick their final acts shortly. The sixth series returns to ITV in August.
• Amy Winehouse was alleged to have been too high on drugs to record the last Bond theme tune Quantum Of Solace. Thats according to estranged hubby Blake Fielder Civil embarking on a tabloid blitz dishing the dirt on his troubled marriage to the singer.
• Michael Jackson's 1988 autobiography Moonwalk is expected to be re-released and reprinted in October after renewed interest following the death of the King of Pop last month.

COLDPLAY TO APPEAR ON THE SIMPSONS

Codplay are heading to Springfield. Chris Martin and co. will follow in the footsteps of U2 , Red Hot Chili Peppers , Barry White and Michael Jackson by appearing in a future episode.
When Homer wins the lottery, Coldplay perform a private show for him and Bart, one which is interrupted because Bart needs to take a trip to the john. Chris Martin will play himself in the episode.
Meanwhile the band's new video Stawberry Swing premieres on Channel 4 this week, The Simpsons episode should appear on Sky 1 sometime next year.

MIKA'S GOLDEN SHOWER

Flamboyant floppy haired pop prince Mika makes an unwelcome return to the pop landscape in September with sophomore album We Are Golden. Already shaping up as a busy month for new releases the album is unleashed on September 21st with the title track released as a single on September 7th.
The album follows on the heels of May's Songs For Sorrow EP. Dirty Pop has yet to haer the track , mostly because we couldnt be bothered. We hear its received a mixed response. But regardless of talent or huge sales , Mika is pure pop Marmite. He's a pop star its very hard to be indifferent to. You either lapped up " Grace Kelly " or absolutely detested the bingo wings anthem " Big Girl (You Are Beautiful )". One thing is certain though , Mika's songs have an irritating ability to burrow themselves in the very depths of your head for days on end,

It'll be interesting to see how the new album is received after the mammoth success of 2007's ubiquitous Life In Cartoon Motion. Cue a Brit Award and dinner dates with Cheryl Cole and Katy Perry falling over their Jimmy Choo's to have you pen their next albums. His hair might be floppy but it remains to be seen if album number 2 is another "golden " period for the sexually ambiguous one.
If we get another " Happy Ending " , Dirty Pop will be very happy. It's our favourite Mika track.

BAH HUMBUG!!

Arctic Monkeys give an exclusive preview of next months 3rd album Humbug via Arcticmonkeys.com with a live web transmission from 9pm on Thursday 30th July. The eagerly anticipated return from Sheffield's finest is part produced by Queens Of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme.
In a preview article on ClashMusic.com, writer Simon Harper claimed that the band had "completely defied any expectations or presumptions to explore the depths they can reach when stepping foot outside their accepted styles", and that "Turner is his usual eloquent self, but has definitely graduated into an incomparable writer whose themes twist and turn through stories and allegories so potent and profound it actually leaves one breathless".
New single "Crying Lightning " is already Number 1 in the Indie Top 40 and at 12 in this weeks UK Top 40.
Hard to believe this will be their 3rd album is 3 three years. Its one thing being prolific but the /arctics' have so far alos delivered the goods. The new single is a bit of grower , reminding this blogger of The Coral. A few more listens is required at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_U2HLU_zWw

Frontman Alex Turner recently took a deserved swipe at TheTing Tings saying that the Arctic's ' Ivor Novello songwriting win was tainted due to the fact the Ting Tings had also scooped an award.

U2 FOR X FACTOR ??

Currently taking a live rock show to awhole new level on their 36o world tour , U2 are reportedly lined up to appear on this winyers sixths eries of the X Factor. With rumours rife that Simon Cowelll is set to bow out in December , producers are keen to to draft in tthe biggest names in pop for their theme nights.
Already the like sof Madonna , Elton John , Robbie Williams and Westlife have all been talked up as possibilties for the new series.
Cowell is said to be desperate to have the biggest band on the planet in the studio for a U2 themed night, at some point in November. Just what we need , more sob stories and someone murdering Sunday Bloody Sunday.
With the current tour hailed a roaring success yet with markedly disapponting sales of new opus No Line On The Horizon , an appearance by the band is not outside the realms of possibility

Personally , as much as I would love to see Madonna or U2 appear , and God knows they'd be foolish not to turn down the excessive coverge and exposure they'd receive. These two are mega stars and icons in a higher etchelon than the likes of Cowell , Walsh or Cole could ever achieve and it'd be great to think that some acts are just too big for Cowell and his ever expanding wallet and forehead.
Fact is , dwindling album sales or not both U2 and Madonna are two good for X Factor. Starnger things have happened so watch this space. And if U2 do appear , they could always recruit Diana Vickers to be " The Claw " on stage.

FUCKING HELL , LOOK AT MADONNA'S ARMS

Either Madge is auditioning for a part in the next Terminator movie or Lou Reed has taken to wearing make up. Whilst we admire Madonna's enduring ability to stay toned and in shape at the ripe old age of 50, those arms are slightly grotesque. Too much is enough and the gym bunny needs to step away from the dumb bells.

SHAKIRA', WOLVES AND LYCANTHROPY

The Colombian superstar who told us her breasts were small and humble and that her hips dont lie indulges in a spot of lycanthropy on new album She Wolf. On this new album Shakira buys into the psychiatric condition where by a person believes they can transform into an animal. Shes fast making Bjork look like Alexandra Burke. Bonkersness aside , this new slice of electro pop is a stunning comeback from Shakira.
I was in the studio in a bad mood that day, then I got inspired and went to a corner and I wrote the lyrics and the melody in 10 minutes. The image of the she wolf just came to my head, and when I least expected it I was howling and panting.” Crikey, the words mad and box of frogs spring to mind. We've missed Shakira and firmly expect some commercial ass to be kicked once the album is released in October.
The album was produced by Santigold cohort John Hill in the Bahamas. The resulting 12 hour sessions have spawned more dance oriented material than previously. Expect the video to She Wolf to be downright barmy but in a sexy kind of way. Awoooooooooo etc.

CATFIGHTS & SPOTLIGHTS -THE DIVAS ARE BACK

VH1 Divas is to return in 2009. It will be live on September 17th 2009 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) Howard Gilman Opera House in Brooklyn, New York.Performers confirmed include Adele, Kelly Clarkson, Miley Cyrus and Leona Lewis. the annual oestrogen fest has been on hiatus for a number of years.
Past 'Divas ' include Aretha Franklin , Whitney Houston , Mariah Carey , Diana Ross , Brandy and Mary J Blige.
More artists have yet to be announced but expect much backstage bickering and sniping , multiple entourages awkward duets and strained bouts of outsinging each other.

THE DIRTY DOZEN -DAILY ROUND UP

• Jennifer Lopez has dismissed reports she is to replace Paula Abdul on the judging panel of American Idol next season. The big bummed Latino is instead turnimg her attention to a new album due for release in January 2010.
• Black Eyed Peas continue to dominate the charts Stateside as " I Gotta Feeling " settles in for its 4th week at Number 1. This comes after Boom Boom Pow notched up 12 weeks at the top.
• Pixie Lott was in Dublin on Friday night to help launch the opening of swanky new VIP club Wrights.
• Katy Perry and Rihanna 's friendship continues to go strong as they were spotted on Friday night heading to the Greenhouse Niteclub in NYC.
• Sugababe Keisha Buchanan is the latest member of the trio to be struck down with flu. Promotional work for new single Get Sexy has been put on hold as the trio recover. Keisha has moved to reassure fans via Twitter that she is on the mend and that reports of contracting swine flu are exaggerated.
• The Saturdays have been spotted out and about in LA as rumours gather about a new single and album pencilled in for the end of the year.
• Avril Lavigne has vowed to strip things down for her forthcoming 4th studio album. The Canadian promises a more acoustically structured record , far removed from the bubblegum rock and pop of 2007's The Best damn Thing.The album is scheduled to be released in November.
• Backstreet Boys return on September 29th with Straight Through My Heart. The RedOne produced epic is the first taken from new album This Is Us.
• Arctic Monkeys have premiered the video for new single Crying Lightning. New album Humbug follows in August.
• JLS continue their ascent to stardom as Beat Again remains top of the UK singles chart fora second week. Last week the X Factor runners up announced tour dates for February 2010.
• Michael Jackson's posthumous hold on the album charts shows no sign of relinquishing as the late singer holds on to the top spot in the album charts in both the UK and Ireland with compilation The Essential.
• Florence And The Machine have scored a surprise hit in Ireland as Cosmic Love spends its second week inside the Irish Top 10. The tracks popularity has been boosted by its use on an ad for mobile phone network 02. There are no plans however as yet to release it as an offiicial single. Florence is currently the bookmkers favourite to land tis years Mearcury Music Prize.

DONT TOUCH THE HAIR

EElly Jackson from La Roux's trademark quiff is fast becoming as distinguishable as Winehouse's beehive and Pete Doherty's track marks.
The Bulletprrof singer and recent Mercury Prize nominee has considered insuring her ginger quiff.
Imagine if someone cut if off in the street, that would be my career over," she recently said. Well did'nt take much then did it. The contents of what is thrown in Elly's hair to establish the quiff are a bit of mystery. A combination of Elinette and mousse is said to be the sulky stars secret. But here at Dirty Pop , we cant think of anything other than the infamous Cameron Diaz hair scene from Theres Something About Mary.

LEONA'S IN A TRANCE

With the X Factoe winner gearing up for another mega selling album before Christmas , bosses at her record label Syco have taken steps to help overcome Leona's crippling nerves. None other than celebrity hypnotist Paul McKenna has been drafted in to help the Bleeding Love songstress cope with her nerves.

A clean living role model sucha s Leona cant be seen to be popping the Xanax at every turn. It seem the lengthy sessions with McKenna have already paid off as Leona's confidence and poise have said to have improved drastically.

Rumours abound that Lewis is set to hit the road next year for her first major world tour lasting 14 months and certain to take in every corner of the globe. Dont worry Leona , sure as you once sang yourself " It'll all get better in time "

ONE HIT WONDER IN GREATEST HITS SHOCKER

Having troubled and topped the charts back in the halycon summer days of 2006 with " I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker " , Sandi Thom 's career has'nt exactly set the world alight. Granted the follow up single " What If I'm Right " was a guilty pleasure of mine as was " Lonely Girl ". But ask the average man on the street to name a Sandi Thom song and you'd be met with a blank faces and an response amounting to -" Isnt she that lesbian from Denmark ."
As pointless as the Greatest Hits albums released by Hilary Duff and Jamelia , surely this ill conceived package signals the big drop for Sandi. Her last album was apparently released last year.
Expect VV Brown's Best Of to be in shops in time for Christmas.

MARIAH'S IMPERFECT OBSESSION

Whilst her old sparring partner Whitney has floundered over the years , Mariah has been on cruise control since 2005's career reviving monster The Emancipation Of Mimi and last years consolidating if not as successful E=MC2. The ultimate diva releases Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel on August 24th.
You may have already heard lead track the Regina George sounding , Eminem baiting "Obsessed". Mimi's recent rift with alleged ex -lover Eminem spilled over this year on Eminem's "Relapse" album when the controversial rapper took swipes at Carey's husband , actor Nick Cannon.
The track is an upbeat , Rn B bounce , not a million miles awya from Touch My Body but slightly better. expect it to be a US Number 1 as per usual.
With previous producers The Dream and Jermaine Dupri on board , expect more of the same RnB/pop and obligatory glass shattering octaves from everyones favourite diva. Check out the video at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hpiwPXkbVc

WHITNEY , GIMME STRENGTH

We thought it would never happen , but after a long , dark stint in the lonely wilderness of pop , Whitney Houston is back. After the disastrous Just Whitney album , it seemed that Houston really did have a problem. But it seems thanks to legendary mogul and mentor Clive Davis ,whitney has finally banished her demons. Or at least we hope so. And thankfully Bobby Brown or a dirty spoon is nowhere to be seen.

Comeback record I Look To You finally sees the light of day on August 28th. Whitney has recently be doing the rounds at various listening parties where various industry types fell over themselves to heap praise on the troubled diva's return. Standing ovations were met at the launches in London , New York and Los Angeles.

Rolling Stone Magazine was at the New York listening party and had the following to say: "Million Dollar Bill" is a clattering, uptempo hip-hop-inspired number. It may be the fastest ever for Houston, who keeps up nicely, even if it occasionally sounds like the balladeer is doing some stretching. "

The album is littered with contributions from Stargate , Alicia Keys and R Kelly. Akon also duets on the already leaked "Like I Never Left ". It seems like an eternity since the brilliant " My Love Is Your Love " and the finger pointing strut of " Its Not Right But Its Ok ".

Confusion reigns slightly over what the lead single is to be. It was assumed that Diane Warren penned " I Did'nt Know My Own Strength " was to be the lead single. The song is your typical Whitney ballad , a call to arms for picking yourself back off the ground amidst much caterwauling. Music forum posters gave the tracka somewhat lukewarm response however and itseems te title rack " I Look To You " may be the first track lifted from the album. It'll be interesting to see how Whitney fares. shes been written off before and rumours persist that her drug addction has ruined and ravaged that soaring voice. But for all the current success of the new female pack such as Leona Lewis , Alicia Keys and Jennifer Hudson , aint none of them is Whitney Houston. She may have sunk under the radar but theres still an affection for Whitney. Shes soundtracked too many a wedding or even a funeral to be left ignored. As she croons on the R Kelly penned " Salute " - ' Dont call it a comeback , I've been here for years "

DOWNLOAD OF THE WEEK - MR HUDSON FEAT. KANYE WEST "SUPERNOVA "

Brummie singer Mr. Hudson barely troubled the charts back in 2007 when A Tale Of Two Cities was released. Despite high profile support slots to Amy Winehouse , the album saw decidedly diminishing returns.

Two years on and the blonde Brummie has been snapped up by hip hop egotist Kanye West. Grooming him for stardom , the resulting collaboration builds to an euphoric climax with Kanye never far from his beloved vocoder. Guaranteed to make a huge dent on the charts ahead of his West produced album Straight , No Chaser , Hudson could potentially become one of the years break out stars. The track itself doesnt veer too far from the current 80's influence dominating the airwaves over the summer.

Expect this track to soundtrack the final weeks of the summer and give Kanye added kudos as a star maker. His presence on this track and long term support and industry muscle can only see Mr Hudson go stellar.

ONLY BY THE KNIGHT

Wolverhampton soul queen and celebrity Twitterer Beverley Knight returns on September 14th with sixth studio album , the presumptiously titled "100 % ". The albums lead single 'Beautiful Night " is released a week earlier on September 7th. The album meanwhile sees collaborationa nad contributions from the ubiquitous and ferociously brilliant Amanda Ghost , Jimmy Hogarth , legendary duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and previous collaborator Guy Chambers who performed songwriting suites on 2004's "Affirmation ". The album also featuresa duet with soul legend , Chaka Khan.

The tracklisting is as follows

"Beautiful Night" (produced by The Rural, co-written with Amanda Ghost) - lead single - 7 September 2009[8]
"Breakout" (produced by DJ Munro & DC Joseph) [9]
"In Your Shoes" (produced by DJ Munro & DC Joseph)[10][11](sampling Orange Juice)
"100%"[12]
"Every Step" (produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis)
"Soul Survivor" (duet with Chaka Khan) (produced by Guy Chambers)[13][14]
"Turned to Stone"
"Bare" [15]
"Square Peg"
"Gold Chain"
"Money Back" (produced by DJ Munro & DC Joseph) [16]
"Painted Pony"
"Too Much Heaven" (duet with Robin Gibb)[17]

Having heard free download Every Step and Beautiful Night , "100%" should cement Bev's place as the nations soul queen of choice. Beverley is currently on promotional duties , taking in a rousing gig at Camden Roundhouse over the weekend for the Itunes Festival.

CELEBRATE -MADONNA GETS HER HITS OUT.......AGAIN!!!

Madonna releases her most comprehensive Greatest Hits package on September 28th. Taking in her most iconic tracks from the past three decades , LaCiccone will be saying farewell to Warner after over 25 years with this belated release. Taking in tracks from the past three decades , the album will be Madge's 4th hits retropsective following the iconic The Immaculate Collection (1990 ) , ballads package Something To Remember (1995 ) and GHV2 (2001 ). The album is preceded by Paul Oakenfold produced anthem -in-waiting Celebrate.
Already confirmed for the album are early single Everybody nestling alongside perennial classics Express Yourself and Vogue , and last years chart topper 4 Minutes.
Rumoured tracklistings suggest the finished album will be an amalgamation of tracks from previous compilations The Immaculate Collection and GHV2 , with fan favorites such as True Blue and Whos That Girl set to be left off.
Celebrate premieres on radio from August 3rd , so check back at Dirty Pop for the obligatory radio rip.

SUGA'S TOO SEXY IN THIS CLUB

After the non event and general malaise surrounding their last album , "Catfights & Spotlights " , the Sugababes return on August 31st with 'Get Sexy '. Its the first track to be lifted from their forthcoming 7th album and sees Keisha , Amelle and Heidi crank up the sass. The girls have teamed up with L:ady GaGa producer RedOne amongst a string of other top names for the new album.
Ditching the retro pop of the last album ,the Right Said Fred sampling stomper is bound to return the girls to the top of the charts and the UK girlband throne. The girls have been cooped up in LA for the past few months working with hitmakers Stargate for the as yet untitled album. With Girls aloud seemingly knocking them off their perch and the emergence of The Saturdays as a pop force in the making , theres a lot riding on this album. By girlband and indeed pop standards , the Sugababes enduring longevity is a remarkable feat in this download era. This September marks 9 years since the Babes in their first incarnation made their mark on the hit parade with modern pop classic 'Overload '. Over 20 singles , two new band members and 6 Number 1's later , these ladies are still hungry for more success.
The only original member Keisha Buchanan has already admitted that the band became too complacent on the last album and barely broke a sweat touring and promoting it. The singles ' Girls ' and 'No Can Do' were met with a marked indifference by their own fanbase and the average pop fan.Elsewhere , Girls Aloud were fast becoming national treasures and one of the nations premier pop acts. Hard to take for a band who've had Number 1 singles with the lead tracks from their past 4 albums.
The girls will be hoping 'Get Sexy ' will yield similar chart gold come september , with a follow up single promised in November. The video premieres on Channel 4 on August 1st.