ROBYN KINDA CALLS MADONNA A DOUCHE! ITS POPNEWS

Popnews is all abuzz in Sweden with the story of Robyn's experiences as support act on some of Madge's dates during the recent European leg of her world tour. According to Robyn, she and her people were ordered not to approach Madonna or speak to her. No pictures and no happy families whatsoever. What does Robyn expect? Has she ever been to a Madonna gig? Its in her name! Shes one big bag of attitude. Respect that, expect it or leave the stadium. Madonna didn't smile once during the show I went to. Says it all really. Not one ounce of warmth from her body. What she does on stage is amazing and in a world of its own. She is an icon of her form and vision. Robyn go and support Kylie next time babes. The experience will be far more fun! In fact, forget supporting acts when you can stand on your two feet now. You've well proved yourself. Stop re-re-re-releasing your album and pushing tracks that have been out for ages. Get working on a new Cd already.

Same Difference have not only covered Breaking Free and Kylie's Turn It Into Love on their new Cd but Nothing's Gonna Stop Stop Us Now by Starship. The album is very different to what I was personally expecting them to produce. They've dropped the bubblegum I heard they were originally going for and releasing a more organic pop sound. I was expecting a Lucky Twice album. To be sure, some tracks were recorded in Sweden! With Play Productions! Instead they've gone for a more natural pop sound.

The new Alesha Dixon video looks very good no? She looks "inspired" anyways...


Soraya released her album Sin Miedo in Spain and personally I think it might be a contender for the pop release of the year. It features covers of Monrose gems but also tracks originally by Agnes Carlsson. Putting aside those though, the collection of songs is a fine set of new tracks. Soraya is always up for a laugh. Her first album was okay(ish) and while I love her cover albums, I wouldn't consider them real Soraya cds. Sin Miedo is the first album Soraya has done something that she can be truly proud of-it stands out as a quality pop album. I highly recommend it! She's making herself sound like a better September! Yes! I said it. Shes better than September!

How great does the Beautiful People soundtrack look?! Everyone knows it features that cover with those Minogue sisters but I am also very excited about the brilliant Sam Taylor who, let me say, is one to watch for 2009. He's the one who was singing in the bus scene. His voice sent shivers down my spine. I can't wait to hear more from him. I know Dontstopthepop will, proudly, celebrate his music in the future. Just from that snippet alone, this guy is gonna go places.

Kate Ryan was all over Spanish radio. Which is a rather good thing.

How sweet is Miss Li of Sweden? Cosy, warm and sweet.

Theres a beauty in her honkytonk pop that I've not seen since, well, in ever. Miss Li please come to London! For I will be in the front row! For more please visit her myspace. She is a truly a gem that Bonnier/Amigo (of Sweden) must must must push!

Talking of which...Isabel (of Sweden) is appearing live in the UK. Yes, this 13th! At the Old Blue Last on Great Eastern Street. You can buy tickets here. Let me repeat that again: Isabel performing in London! For Popjustice! With a live band! Woohoo!

The Natalie Bassingthwaighte album is looking like its gonna be a very special event. There are some big big names attached to it and listening to the lead single Alive its the song that Britney should have released. You can hear a snippet of the lead single here.

Talking of pop princesses here is the French Kylies, Lorie with her new single Un Garcon. As you may or may not know the track is about a girl who loves a boy who has fallen in love with another man. The video is rather epic:

Coming up...an interview with another pop writer to the stars!

No Angels to Disappear and Ninja faces her Battlefield Of Love for Eurovision and Robyn never minds the British buzzcocks.

PopNews

Dolly Parton has a new album out this year and not only will it be brilliant but also comes with a glorious title. Its called Backwoods Barbie and I personally feel that this name might be the best of the year so far. Its scheduled for late February but this might change so keep an eye out (on this brilliant site).

The German girl group No Angels are releasing a new single. Its called Disappear and its for Eurovision! It sounds like a uptempo anthem but those German girls have some strong lungs so they might just pull it off.

Meanwhile, Ninja Sarasalo is attempting to represent Finland with the song "Battlefield Of Love" which was written by the amazing Susan Nova! Have a listen to Fashion here. Switzerland have selected their song to represent them this year and its in Italian. Which makes total sense as Italy doesnt take part. Still its sung by the quite lickable Paolo Meneguzzi! See him perform it here (check it out for the choreography and the dancers alone!)

Kylie is rumoured to be leaving Parlophone/EMI while her fellow collaborator R.Williams is thinking of striking. Doesn't "industrial action" require some kind of working to be done? We all know Kylie works her guts out for EMI. Since 2000 there have been 4 studio albums, 1 greatest hits, 5 world tours and some very stressful health issues. Since receiving that 80 million pound contract Robbie Williams has released 2 studio albums. Not quite industrious is it? Not worthy of strike action anyway. Still, the Kylie rumours are just rumours. The Kylie forums also claiming that she's releasing 3 new singles. The UK is getting Wow, the U.S.A gets Speakerphone and everyone else gets In My Arms. Yay! Also it seems a key Kylie track from her new album The One was already released some 12 months or so earlier by another act called Emma on some dance compilation. Sadly not Emma Bunton.

Talking of music being given a new lease of life, the lady that is Alesha Dixon is finally getting a release of her long-awaited longplayer (album cover pictured above!). At the moment its only released in Japan but expect that to change especially on the back of her Strictly Come Dancing win. You can buy it here.

Robyn, who releases her new single Be Mine on Monday, is about to go stateside with critical coastal dates announced for her promotional tour. To read more see XoLondon and Chartrigger who have the full down of her return to America. In Europe, next on the horizon is the release of further singles, live dates like Koko in Camden (which I hope to attend!) and the release of some brand new material such as the track "See Into the Light". She's also appearing on Never Mind The Buzzcocks this month on the week her album achieves a new peak in the British charts!

The Brilliant, and beautiful, London based Australian singer Gabriella Cilmi is releasing her album at the end of the month. The tracklisting looks great but the only problem is the album cover: she's not actually on it. Sort it out!

Elena Paparizou is about to release a special French version of The Game Of Love with three new bonus tracks one which includes Dalida's Le Temps Des Fleurs!

Will Young is peaking back into the world of pop with a collaboration with the rap outfit Dreamkatchers. Its called Teardrops (listen here) and to me it sounds like a tribute to the Eurovision non-classic Love City Groove.

And PayTV are back! Very much back! Back as back could be! They are so back you'll feel your back being backed up by their backs. More on this later though ;-)