Gabriella Cilmi’s gearing up for the May 31st release of the Bee Gee’s-infused second single “Hearts Don’t Lie” from her incredible sophomore album, “Ten.”

One of the serviced remixes for the single was wiz-twiddled by UK dancefloor destroyers Moto Blanco. As a bit of a scoop – this is the very first time it’s gone live anywhere online – I offer you this gift; the exclusive first play of the Moto Blanco remix of Gabriella Cilmi’s “Hearts Don’t Lie.”

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Yes please.

“Hearts Don’t Lie” is released in the UK on May 31st. “Ten” is out now.

When I originally saw this bootleg on a website a few months back, I just assumed it would have been “Heart Of Glass” or “Rapture” playing the Blondie role in this mash-up. In a masterstroke genius move however, the Blondie track in question is neither of those certified, crowd-pleasing hits…

The Greatest Blondie song ever, “Atomic”, mashed together with Fergie & The Other Blokes’ “Shut Up”, which, on its own, is one of the better pop songs this decade has produced. It sounds disastrous on paper, but on player; it WORKS.

Blondie vs Black Eyed Peas – Black Eyed Blondie.

Someone call Fergie and tell her to release this as the bands next single immediately.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcUxAr2_dRo

Well over a year ago I ran a Cassette Kids piece on here and bung on about them being my new favourite pop group. The Sydney-siders have just finished creating their debut album, Nothing On TV, the exciting follow-up to last years EP, the ace We Are, and are about to embark on a National Tour supporting the new single, Lying Around, co-written and produced by Michael Di Francesco, he of-the Van She.

I spoke to Katrina from the Cassette Kids late last year for a chat but never posted the interview. And just last week, I spoke to the lovely lady again, and this time I’ve made sure it’s ready to go for your listening pleasure.

DOWNLOAD THE INTERVIEW IN MP3 FORMAT HERE.

Easily one of the best interviews I’ve done; up there with the ace Antigone ones actually. Katrina’s an incredibly great subject to interview. It’s refreshing to speak to someone in music who has an incredibly contagious approach to the passion for their work, whilst still holding on to a brilliant sense of humour. It doesn’t happen too often at all and, as when you’re doing interviews with artists week-in, week-out, these type of pleasantries are never taken for granted.

DOWNLOAD THE INTERVIEW IN MP3 FORMAT HERE.

In what is surely a coincidence (a spooky one at that), it has been just over a full year since I last spoke to the magnificent Antigone on the website. A lot’s happened in the last 12 months…

Antigone talks candidly to me about the future of her debut solo album, Antigone Land, her favourite tracks on it, and discusses her not-so-pleasant run-in with Little Boots…

On MediaFire, for your downloading pleasure…

Interview with Antigone (2009).mp3

Review (finally!!!) of Tig’s glorious debut solo CD coming after the weekend. “One of the years best”, as they say.

Visitor are an amazing new Aussie-bred, London-based pop duo who are currently working with Diamond Cut and my beloved Van She on a set of their debut records. They have a FIERCE launch track in “Los Feeling” which, without sounding too cliched, pulls together the best synths of the 80’s and 90’s, throws in a seriously euphoric chorus and envelopes itself into a three-and-a-half minute epic-pop showdown. Brilliantly, the guys have allowed me to share this very song in a completely legal Internet download for you on the site.

Visitor – Los Feeling (Rough Mix).mp3 (Mediafire)

(XO talked about these guys a couple of weeks back, FYI.)

Anyway, Kyle from the duo agreed to partake in a minterview; a miniature interview (oh dear). I found out what they are all about, who they’re working with, and whether Kyle loves UK Big Brother’s Davina McCall…

Tell me a little bit about you guys; who’s in the group, the ‘general’ introductory bits…
Visitor is Kyle and Lucas. We met each other at school in Melbourne when we were kids, and moved to London a few years ago, where we formed and de-formed electronic/rock bands. We recently realised that we wanted to do something much more focused and poppy I guess, and so Visitor was born. We only unveiled everything on Monday, but so far people seem to be ‘getting’ it, which is quite a relief.

So you’re working with Diamond Cut and Van She on the album… anyone else? How’s it been working with all of these guys so far?
It’s been amazing. We first encountered Diamond Cut last year when he did a remix for us and it’s kinda escalated from there. The Van She connection came out of working with Diamond Cut. Kinda strange to have travelled half way around the world to end up working with a bunch of Australians. There are a few exciting names bouncing around that our management have been speaking with, but we’ll keep those a closely guarded secret!

How long until we have some more songs to listen to from you guys?
The music’s there, we’re just wanting to give everything a chance to settle in. I think it would ruin impact if we just stuck four amazing songs up at once. Soon though. Soon.

What’s the situation with labels and signing prospects?
We’re currently discussing a few different things with several labels. Nothing we can talk about obviously.

Because I am currently going through a manic ‘retrospective’ Madonna mood, what with her new Greatest Hits package looming, what’s the earliest memory you have of her?
Getting on her knees in front of the black Jesus, and getting her cans out. I don’t think anyone would really appreciate her doing that these days. The world’s a different place.

Will Janet Jackson ever make a good album again do you think?
Probably. Maybe. I guess not, really. Probably no way. We’d like to think so. We hope so. Actually, we don’t mind either way…

Are you watching UK Big Brother, and if so, who are your picks to win?
To win? I think that guy who looks like Wolverine would be pretty cool let loose in to the real world. He could live in sewers like some kind of modern day Mad Max…

Do you love Davina?
Love is a strong word, but I would definitely say there is a budding romance.

Thank you Visitor.

There’s something about Beyonce.

Something.

Unfortunately, I’m not sure what that something is yet because, time after time, album after album, she disappoints me by not going down the path which is her ultimate destiny; to become a 21st century Disco Diva, like her supposed hero Diana Ross was in the 20th. So much potential lies within how fierce (pardon the pun) Beyonce’s imagery of late has been. The picture up above, in its full form, is probably my absolute favourite picture of Beyonce to date, and I will forever remember this remix album cover as being probably her most iconic photograph. This is one of the things I will remember her for in years to come.

I do love, however, that Beyonce is still very much a remixable artist. If her song is rubbish, there is a very good chance that if it’s remixed, it will end up being monstrously good and very similar to the kind of thing she should be doing. Everything of hers the Freemasons have remixed is instantly of legendary status (but not entirely due to the Freemasons), and most of the mix packages that come through for Beyonce singles feature at least one absolute stomper.

There are enough spectacular Beyonce remixes to make up what would be the perfect B-Bouncey album. One of the best, it seems, is an incredibly recent one. The Dave Aude Remix of “Halo” is of epic proportions. And not ‘epic’ like the kids all say things are these days, but proper ‘epic’ – in pop music terms; that kind of epic. It’s the sort of dramatic dance song that, coupled with the teary lyrics, provide a landscape for what is the absolute best kind of disco; where you get to dance your heart out to a sad story being told.

I’ve uploaded it for you to download, chances are it might disappear so grab it quickly. Keep an ear out for the destructively amazing breakdown and build-up at the 6 minute 20 second mark. DI-VA.

Halo (Dave Aude Remix).mp3

Beyonce runs the risk of missing this possibly monstrous opportunity before it’s too late. You might say that she’s obviously doing fine enough with what she’s already doing, and you’re right. But why should Beyonce settle for mediocrity? Or, even worse; second best? I believe a wise woman named Madonna once said not to go for second best, and if Beyonce wants to be bigger than God (actually, she’s quite religious isn’t she, so let’s just say ‘as big as God’ to keep her happy), she needs to take that advice on board as a mantra.

If you feel the same, you should become a fan of Beyonce Remixes on Facebook.

Oh, and just for the record, I am definitely one of the people that thinks her sister, Solange, is the better popstar of the two.

Oh look; it’s a Bang Gang Deejays Megamix of sorts. Tracklisting.

Download.

“Fucking Amazing.”