[Official Video] Rita Ora feat. Tinie Tempah - R.I.P.

If there's one well connected up and coming female star to keep your eyes on right now, it's Rita Ora. From DJ Fresh to man of the moment Tinie Tempah, she's been plastering the airwaves with bite-size pop melodies keying effortlessly into a street-smart urban groove.

And with Tinie on board for her debut solo single R.I.P, it wouldn't surprise me if the track ended up as a shoe in for the No. 1 spot come it's May release date. Surfing a wave of Pendulum-esque D'n'B production (actually courtesy of supremos Chase & Status), the track feels energised with every ounce of the enthusiasm and drive you want from an artist making their big splash into the mainstream. And of course there's Rita's vocals - smoky and soulful in a way that feels infinitely more unique than your usual club vocalist types.

And therein lies the real power of R.I.P, it's ability to stand across both the raw force needed to send dancefloors across the UK into rapture, but with the slipstream pop hooks to take it that bit further to dominate on daytime playlists. And here, Rita Ora achieves both goals with impressive ease.

R.I.P. is released on the 7th May and can be pre-ordered here.

Chase & Status - Flashing Lights (featuring Sub Focus & Takura)

Chase & Status are at their best at two extremes. On one hand, the unstoppable power of punchy dub-step anthems like Let You Go - and then on the other, the more subtle, spook-pop of stuff like Time.

Flashing Lights then, is something of a middle-ground, and benefits from the production duo bringing the best of both camps to the table. It's eerie, darkly satisfying and come the immense breakdown in the track's last minute, possessed of a metallic, industrial intensity of terrifying proportions.

The opening even harks back to 2008 and Chase & Status's epic Pieces, the masterpiece that was to hint at the success that would shortly come to them.

Not many acts can get away with releasing seven or so singles from one album, but Chase & Status have undoubtedly proven that they are deserving of such a luxury.

Flashing Lights is released on the 21st November.

Tinie Tempah's official after-party: At Proud2

On the 4th November, there's only one place to be, and that's Proud2. After his massive gig at London's O2 Arena, man of the moment Tinie Tempah will be bringing all the action to the new venue.

With him comes a whole host of brilliant acts, including a DJ set from Chase & Status and a live PA from Labrinth.

In a venue as intimate as this, things are pretty much sure to 'go off', as they say. Basically, it's a guaranteed epic night out. And considering it only costs 15 quid, a very reasonably priced one at that too.

Ms Dynamite and Redlight will also be making an appearance, all part of the special one-off 'Do Not Disturb' event.

New releases round-up - 18th July 2011

Snoop Dogg - Boom

Just like The Saturdays before him, Snoop Dogg turns to a classic Yazoo track for his latest single - the merits of which being that you can't really go wrong with it in there. While not quite up there with Sweat/Wet for levels of sheer sleaze, this remains a big summer anthem.

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Red Hot Chili Peppers - The Adventures Of Rain Dance Maggie

I wanted so much for the Chili's new single to be absolutely amazing, but truth be told, I wasn't convinced on first listen. While all the trademark sounds in place - the only thing missing is a big chorus, and Adventures... just feels lacking. The band's landmark Stadium Arcadium album defined 2006 with its endless stream of catchy hits, and five years on from that, you can't help but feel the band could have delivered something a little more dynamic for their big comeback. Still, with a band of their calibre, there remains a benchmark of quality - and Adventures... remains quite capable of holding its own against singles from groups half the Chili Pepper's age.

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Chase & Status feat. Tinie Tempah – Hitz

The sixth (Yes, sixth!) single from the production duo's massive album, this one's a goody - Tinie Tempah is something of the man of the moment right now and his 'The only thing bigger, blacker, slicker... is a Taxi' rap in this is brilliant. Moving away from the synth-heavy behemoths of Let You Go and Blind Faith, Hitz is instead all vocal samples and low, menacing stabs of brass. Great stuff once again from the Chase & Status lads.

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Kylie Minogue - The Albums (2000-2010)

A timely box set release collecting together her last five studio albums to celebrate Kylie's remarkable decade as the Princess of Pop. It's amazing to think that a song like Spinning Around is over ten years old now, a calling card from another age. Yet it's indelible pop charm remains, as does the vigour and breezy sense of fun Kylie injects all these albums with. Whether its the likes of Light Years and Fever which rejuvenated her career or the fan favourites Body Language and X, there's one thing you can be assured of with this collection - some of the best pop music ever made.

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