ThePensmith

Just seen that of all people, John Legend has just done a faux "my label forced me to do a TikTok video" video. The fact it's trying to be humorous is just next level cringe

Kimberley Walsh from Girls Aloud has offered her views on this in OK Magazine this week. She's said it's sad that no one's taken Little Mix's place and that it's time for another girl group or boyband: https://www.ok.co.uk/celebrity-news/kimberl...ersary-27124685

Don't know if this adds to the discussion or not but I was talking to a good mate of mine on Instagram yesterday about the fact S Club 7's "Sunshine" is out on vinyl next week at HMV for the first time, and how we were both excited about that. I mentioned in passing about this new Platinum Collection - which she wasn't aware of - and she's subsequently gone off to pre-order the silver swirl vinyl. So there you go, an example of a casual conversion!

I was gonna say the clips of her at Mighty Hoopla over the weekend have got me really excited for October now, so her best of has been on rotation again for me today. "That Day" is such a beautiful song lyrically and musically, I love the kind stream of consciousness vibe. Was it ever established why there was two videos for it?

I was gonna say maybe low top 10 or #5 on a quiet week would be near enough my estimation as well. Had it still got released after they split I reckon it would have been a different story and it would have struggled.

Just caught up with the interview just now on iPlayer. This comes out the week before my birthday and a couple of weeks after I see them up the road from us in Chelmsford for the first time :) Be lovely having the old hits on vinyl together with the newer songs too - I've got the signed one on pre-order!

Doesn't surprise me that The Alias / Jewels & Stone have done this megamix. They really understand the assignment - just look at the ones they did for Girls Aloud and The Saturdays. This is up there with those. That segue from Neon Blue to Stomp with a snatch of The Slightest Touch especially is incredible!

So I've booked for Chelmsford Racecourse now :) Will be my first Steps show. Quite looking forward to it actually!

I should state for the record that I've not engaged in TikTok, nor will I ever; it's origins and safety concerns and general brash noisiness that appeals to those with the attention span of a mayfly has put me off it. I'm in my early 30s and have a clear idea of what is and isn't appealing to me now. But like it or lump it, it is part of most current social and business fabrics now, the music industry included. Evidently, there probably are some artists who are making videos like Halsey's one with intentions that aren't genuine or coming from a place of despair. But that's equally not to invalidate those artists who are feeling pressured under their contracts to do certain things or be set completely unassailable goals in the name of chasing virality. You only need look at Raye and the dramas she went through last year with Polydor. You would think after the last few years and different things happening like #metoo, Black Lives Matter etc that labels would be showing more responsibility for looking after the very asset that is keeping them in business in the first place. Artists are humans, not preprogrammed robots. Sadly on this basis, it doesn't seem like they are. It's not the 80s or 90s where you can get away with any old crap. Fans are not stupid and they will make themselves quite as if not just as vocal as the artist if they sense bullshit or uncompromising behaviour at play. By all means incorporate TikTok into the wider marketing plan - and also make it make sense relative to the artist, their music and audience - but pinning all your energies on virality on there for a hit will inevitably come back and bite them on the arse once TikTok reaches and passes peak saturation point, which it probably will do within a year or two.

I binge watched the whole boxset on All4 last night. Just a truly brilliant show, and so well timed. It's funny, it's heartwarming but it's also quite moving in what it touches on; depression, mental health, being gay. The numerous 'huns' pop culture references are brilliant as well. Channel 4 would be silly to not green light this for a second series!

Just confirmed as a last minute addition to the bill of Mighty Hoopla next week:

Just confirmed his autobiography / self help book "What's Your Vibe" will be out in October:

Thank you! I was trying to put my finger on what it reminded me of - and I loved this song too.

eMXB039CACQ Sounds epic. Liking this a lot!

Gorrilaz and Pharrell get my vote from that little lot.

New sitcom starting this week on Channel 4 - based on the real-life experiences of Jack Rooke, a writer and comedian who also turned them into a book and a show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Dylan Llewellyn (James 'the wee English fella' from Derry Girls) and Jon Pointing (Plebs) are it's main stars. 3SglDolZ5NY This looks really funny, will definitely be tuning into this, especially now Derry Girls has finished.

@1529024465954344961 First single is "Haven't Found You Yet". First play tomorrow morning on Zoe Ball's Breakfast Show on Radio 2.

Their last album was eight years ago - and the video I posted above is them making fun of that very perception. Good on them for doing that though. That has always been the common media narrative around them ever since they split up "Blue are all washed up / broke / has-beens" etc. It's oftentimes overshadowed the music and their legacy in that respect so if they're reclaiming that by approaching it with humour that's refreshing and actually really admirable.

Well if they're not going ahead with at all then they should have just been honest about it. And I'm tired of hearing "production delays due to Rona and Brexit". Every incompetent idiot under the sun has been using that as the stock excuse for the last two years as cover ups for what they're not doing.

It was literally being pushed on the Official Charts website as one of the key releases? https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/r...eleases__35233/

Album cover and tracklisting are out: They've also done this video which gently pokes fun at - well, you'll see what I mean when you watch it. Good on them for having a sense of humour! kogaPeXrV-U Can't wait to hear what MNEK has done with them!

My response back from RSD: "Hi there, Sadly this title was removed by the label from the RSD list yesterday as pressing plant delays have meant it will no longer make the June Drop date. We are very sorry about this, but keep an eye on our website/socials for the latest info. Kind Regards RSD Team" Although that's still not really answering the question of whether or not it's actually getting released at all? UPDATE: They've now said "We don’t have anymore info at the moment, but if anything does change it would be on the RSD website so best to keep checking."

I've emailed RSD to try and get to the bottom of what's going on. I don't exactly hold hope given they've point blank ignored us on Twitter but I just want to know one way or another.

I've got a horrible feeling that the Anniversary Remixes release on 18th June for Record Store Day isn't happening now :( It's not listed on their website anymore, it's just redirecting to an error page: https://recordstoreday.co.uk/rsd-list/sugababes/ This was literally the only other release this year I was waiting for, I'll be so gutted if it's been cancelled!

Loved this and I loved watching the livestream on Saturday night. It was an amazing show and the perfect way to close the chapter for now. I've had "Between Us" again on Spotify today. Honestly so many bops!