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Brandon Flowers Talks New Killers Album "Battle Born"

After The Killers briefly resurfaced with their holiday single "The Cowboy's Christmas Ball" late last year, the group went straight back into their brand-new Las Vegas studio to continue work on their much-anticipated fourth album. Details have been kept tightly under wraps, but in an interview with German music magazine Outro, frontman Brandon Flowers reveals a few details new details about the new record that is produced by the legendary Steve Lillywhite.

The new Killers album will be titled "Battle Born," Flowers reveals in the German interview. Continuing the group's ongoing love affair with Nevada, "Battle Born" is a direct reference to the official state flag of the The Killers' homestate. "These words have something to do with the fact that our country emerged from the wars of secession," Flowers explains, adding that Nevada's historic struggle is a metaphor for the album's big theme. "For us, ["Battle Born"] is not about civil war, but rather a struggle with the everyday things of life, whether that is a relationship crisis or a story about someone who was not born with a silver spoon in their mouth."

"The album will focus on big emotions like "longing, fear of loss and love," Flowers adds. As a result, "Battle Born" will be musically "less playful" not including any of the quirky sax solos and horn sections that marked their previous LP, "Day & Age." Instead the group incorporated the Casio VL1's "spartan synth sounds" and even a bass line that echoes the greatness of Lou Reed's "Take A Walk On The Wild Side." Guitarist Dave Keuning chimes in and notes that recording the album was "a sober process."

The album will count 15 songs, including "Battle Born," "Heart Of A Girl," "Flesh and Bone", "Carry Me Home" and "Runaways. Flowers remains coy about the album's title track but notes that it's "loud and the best piece of Flowers." The Killers "Battle Born" is scheduled to be released late September.

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Kylie Minogue Talks New Music, Shares "Timebomb" Extended Remix Version

If there's one thing that I deeply respect and admire about Kylie Minogue, it is that she's one of the very few pop superstars who has managed to stay true to who she is as an artist while she has continued to evolve her sound to fit her taste and fan appetite over the past two decades. From the moment her "Locomotion" arrived twenty-five years ago, Minogue has developed and cultivated an all-inclusive sound that is uniquely hers. Her music is sleek, sweet and sexy, yet never brash, polarizing or raunchy. 

Minogue perfectly walks that very fine line between pushing the envelop artistically and creating a sound with a truly global appeal that doesn't turn people off with bold imagery or other confrontational tactics. Her splashy new single "Timebomb" posseses all of Minogue's discerning qualities and more. It's a glowing blueprint of what make Minogue stand out from the pack. It's playful and edgy, but most importantly, just good fun.

In a brief email interview, Minogue explains how "Timebomb" came about so quickly. "I have started recording for my next album which is due out in 2013," she writes. "'Timebomb' was a track I felt was the perfect song to be part of the K25 celebrations. So, we decided to make it one of our surprise uploads on Kylie.com. Not only was I super excited about the song and the video, but the surprise element felt absolutely appropriate. It's the first time I've released a single like this and it was been so much fun. I love the fact that fans are responsible for the release with the 'tweet to unlock' mechanism, if feels fresh!"

The pop superstar also notes that more surprises may be coming. "It's definitely a sign of where I'm heading," she smiles. "I love making pop dance music so that's our launch pad but as always, there will be some variations on the theme. "(Download Kylie Minogue "Timebomb" on iTunes.)

FREE MP3: Listen to Ed Drewett "Good Morning" [Song Review]

You may not know his name (yet), but you most certainly know a couple of the massive pop songs he has written. Meet Ed Drewett, the savvy pop writer who is a driving force behind The Wanted's global chart sensation "Glad You Came" that he penned with Wayne Hector. With the world's pop eyes zooming in on The Wanted, this is a perfect time for Drewett to show that he has a whole lot more on his sleeves including some fantastic artist material that he's eager to share with the world.

This blog first alerted you about Drewett almost two years ago when he released his single "Champage Lemonade" that followed his feature on Professor Green's "I Need You Tonight." Since then, Drewett has continued to write songs for others while tuning a unique sound of his own. Today, Drewett finally unveiled the brand-new "Good Morning" that he is giving away for free on his web site to give as many people as possible a proper taste of his new music.

Paced by acoustic instrumentation and a grooving, laidback rhythm section, "Good Morning" is a charmer that hits the speakers like a ray of sunshine. Filled with optimism, the song tells a comforting story about enjoying the moment even when things appear bleak. "I can make it good when it is bad in your eyes," Drewett passionate croons. "If the rain falls, let it fall keep an eye out for gold. And if it is pouring let it slide." It's a wonderful tune with a universal appeal that has us curious for more of Drewett's new material.

 Ed Drewett "Good Morning" [MP3 - Registration Required]

Hot New Talent Alert: Listen to Bebe Black "Deathwish" (Download Free MP3)

"My heart is black and my lips are blue," newcomer Bebe Black cries out in the opening of her beautifully poignant pop noir tune "Deathwish" to set a demure, atmospheric tone that lingers throughout the track. Introduced by a woozy, slightly detuned piano, the song gradually develops from an aching chant into a tightly arranged, pulsing mid-tempo piano ballad with clubby undertones that prominently features Black's strikingly frosty vocals. It's an impressive tune by an equally compelling new artist who is without a doubt poised for the big time.

Hailing from Dorset, England, Bebe Black is signed to Columbia Records in the U.K. and will be unveiling more new material in the months to come to up the anticipation for the release of her official debut single some time later this year. The stylishly exciting debutant is already making a splash with her feature on Benga's new track "Icon," the first single to be released from his forthcoming second album "Chapter." Bebe is currently recording her debut album that will be released via Columbia Records, early 2013. (Download Bebe Black's entire "Live From Black Lion Sessions" EP for free on her web site.)

 Bebe Black "Deathwish" (Live from Black Lion Sessions) MP3