Track by track: Straight To The Heart - Sophie's 4th record

(thanks to Lee B for scanning the mag)

Track by Track: Straight To The Heart

From Gay Times Maganize

Heartbreak Make Me A Dancer - This one was with the Freemasons. I think it's quite a theatrical love song really. I was playing a bit of a diva but it's quite fun. It's one of those things where you've got to take on a slight alter-ego.

Bittersweet - It's a genuine raw emotion when something's intoxicated you and you can't really do anything about it. When we've been doing it acoustically it's actually quite romantic. When it's got all the bells and whistles it sounds a bit more saucy.

Off And On - A track with Calvin Harris, it was originally written with Roisin Murphy for her record but for one reason or another she felt it didn't fit. Ordinarily I’m a bit squeamish about taking on songs that I didn't write. But I think you've always got to think that you can bring something to it.

Revolution - Working with Cathy Dennis was brilliant, I'm a big fan of hers. It's probably one of my tougher songs. It will be a single, it has a different sound to it. I don't know if I rap exactly in the verses but it's quite sort of aggressive and monotone there. It's with this guy called Greg Kurstin who's a really good producer in LA and Cathy does things that you don't think of doing, like in this song I name check 'Murder On The Dancefloor'

Starlight - I did this with Richard X and Hannah Robinson and it's one of my favourites. I love it in pop music when it's got a soft of wistful sadness like Giorgio Moroder's always really good at that. This song has definitely got that feel.

Magic - Again with Hannah and Richard, and another love song. Sometimes when I'm writing songs I get imagines in my head and with this one I'm always riding a horse, it sounds a bit like I'm galloping somewhere. In the video I've got to do it on horseback.

Synchronised - One of a couple of slower numbers which is about trying to get back in tune with a lover you but you probably won't ever do it, so that's got sadness too. I'm always drawn to sad things. It’s actually really hard to write a happy song I find. I have tried it on many occasions and you do achieve it sometimes but it's actually that sadness and heartache and unrequited love have got built-in interest I suppose, a bit more depth.

Cut Straight To The Heart - Another slow one, I did this with the lovely Ed Harcourt, a really talented singer/songwriter. This is a really melodic song. He's one of the best lyricists I've ever worked with. I know a lot of people who are good with melody, I think that's one of my strong points. But lyrics, it's just really tough to get a lyric that does exactly what you want it to but he's really good at that.

Dial My Number - A song about a text stalker that I have. I've never replied to them but they send me these texts, sending me jokes, sending me my lyrics. Not particularly sinister, but kind of annoying. So it started off as an idea of a song about someone that you're saying "you might have my number but it doesn't mean that anything's gonna happen, so don't get your hopes up."

Homewrecker - Another song with a weird subject matter - you can probably guess what Homewrecker's about! (laughs) It's about girls who flirt with your boyfriend right under your nose which is very annoying. And sometimes they're really just oblivious, they're just so happy to have the attention that they don't really realise that they've crossed the line and they'll go "Yeah but she's just a good friend" and you're like "Yeah but I saw the way she laughed at your jokes and I saw the way she put her hand on your arm when she was telling a story and it's not on". Not on!

Under Your Touch - A song which is quite a saucy love song really. It's just about fancying someone, which is always a good subject matter.

Scene - I did this one with Joe from Metronomy. Actually, Scene was a very instrumental track and it really set the tone. It was written quite early on. It was quite quirky and different and it's just made me think that maybe I've got to try some new stuff here, try something just a bit to push me a bit I suppose so it was a really important track to write.

(I know Not Giving Up On Love isn't mentioned here, but Sophie says it's on the album. No reason to worry. Sophie said this about the song in a radio interview - "Boom – Boom – Boom – Boom - Boom - like fairground music. I mean that in a good way. I worked with a trance DJ called Armin van Buuren. I am pleased with that one. It sounds like authentic trance. I would never have thought in a million years I would do a trance record. But like everything I do it’s all about melody and song, so it just happens to be a trance record.")

More about Sophie's new track 'Homewrecker'

It's not another title for Not Giving Up On Love. Homewrecker (click here to check ASCAP) is co-written with Greg Kurstin and Lindy Robbins. Now i'm a little concerned about Not Giving Up... After all the nice things she said about the song, she left it off the tracklist? But then again, her recent tweet has left me in confusion. She tweeted Armin saying "just been listening to Not Giving Up On Love really loud and it sounds amazing. i love it! very excited." Are we getting UK Bonus tracks? Is it going to be a hidden track? Or is it going to be a b-side? I wish we get more information about the album soon.

And i must say, Under Your Touch is really really good. I've been singing the chorus all through, and i've only watched the performance twice. This album is going to be great, i just know it! Sophie tweeted, "is it wrong of me to say i love my album? because i do. big shout out to all the producers involved. your work sounds lush."
Here is the performance on youtube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcjWeVNQVEA (thanks to Arrs)

By the way, here's part two of the Total Access interview with Simon Morykin - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=JEPZ2VGF

more about Revolution

So, we know Revolution is a Kurstin/Denis/Ellis-Bextor track. But here's something from the lady herself:

"One of my favourite songs is Revolution. It's very energetic, short and hard-hitting and unlike anything I've done before. It name-checks Murder On The Dancefloor, which is extremely funny. It's clever but was not my idea."

Looking forward to this song.

SOURCE: http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/showbiz/music-news/2010/03/24/sophie-ellis-bextor-stalker-was-inspiration-for-song-on-my-new-album-straight-to-the-heart-86908-22135529/

Straight To The Heart - the tracklist

Okay, i know i've made tons of predictions, but i'm sure this time i've got it right. Richard X mentioned on Black Melody that 2 out of 3 songs of his would end up on the album. But Sophie's MySpace says "The" Richard X track. So i'm unsure about Magic. The rest of the tracks are confirmed.

Oh and whoever told me (and stupid of me to publicise without proof) that Synchronised is co-written with Sophie was wrong. PROOF!

1. Sophia Loren (Cathy Denis, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Christopher Rojas)
2. Revolution (Cathy Denis, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Greg Kurstin)
3. Not Giving Up On Love (Armin Buuren, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, The Nervo Sisters)
4. Bittersweet (Hannah Robinson, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Freemasons, Biffco)
5. Starlight (Hannah Robinson, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Richard X)
6. Off And On (Cathy Denis, Roisin Murphy, Calvin Harris)
7. Dial My Number (Hannah Robinson, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Liam Howe)
8. Cut Thru' The Heart (Ed Harcourt, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Dimitri)
9. Make A Scene (Metronomy, Sophie Ellis-Bextor)
10. Synchronised (Ina Wrolsden, Fred Ball)
11. I Still Believe In Magic (Hannah Robinson, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Richard X)
12. Heartbreak Make Me A Dancer (Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Biffco, Freemasons)


(this is not the official cover, don't worry. i'm just playing around with a picture i found online)

Myspace Profile Updated - loads of new info

(Guys, there's a new post before this one too. Don't forget to read that...)

Sophie Ellis-Bextor is back with album number four, after baby number two, looking and sounding better than ever; but as she once warned us – it’s a Mixed Up World, and juggling young children, with a recording career, international tours, running club nights with husband Richard and her ongoing commitment as the face of cosmetics brand Rimmel, is not without it’s challenges.

How does she manage the balancing act? “I don’t really - it’s quite chaotic, you have to just not fight it. My upbringing was similar because my mum and dad both worked in TV doing funny hours, so I suppose I’m not really designed for consistency.”

In fact the singer who reaches her ten-year anniversary in the pop game this year couldn’t be happier. “I’m having an amazing time right now. It really is the best it’s ever been. I’m still completely excited, and I think that’s vital! There’s nothing more unsexy than a jaded pop star.”

When you hear her new album you’ll understand why Sophie is quite so giddy, “I felt like the album needed to be really positive, and unabashed”, she explains, “if it’s your fourth record you don’t want to be apologetic about it. I like pomposity in pop and confidence and chutzpah.” She’s got chutzpah up to her four-storey hips. Straight To The Heart is a plugged-in pulsating pop juggernaut, which will have Sophie murdering dance floors all over again.

Sophie may be the ultimate pop starlet but she’s no pop puppet – she was heavily involved with all parts of her album, co-writing much of it and working with an in-demand team of writer/producers that includes Freemasons, Greg Kurstin, Calvin Harris, Cathy Dennis, Metronomy, Richard X and Armin Van Buuren.

Freemasons, the team behind those amazing Beyoncé remixes (and much more besides) have two songs on the record. The first, Heartbreak (Make Me A Dancer) was not just a massive success on home soil but went on to become one of her biggest successes on the continent, particularly Russia where it reached number two in the chart. “I did 8 trips to Moscow last year and I’ve even picked up a bit of Russian too - menya zovut Sofiya… my name is Sophie” she says to prove she’s not fibbing.

The second Freemasons song is her forthcoming single Bittersweet, which is out 25 April. A compelling, emotive epic with dramatic wooshes, tick-tocking drum machines and cold eighties synth, Bittersweet is the euphoric, guaranteed pop moment of the spring.

The song Greg Kurstin (Ke$ha, Kylie and Lily Allen) wrote with Sophie and Cathy Dennis is Revolution: and with it’s gritty bass, crunching beats and ear splitting squeals it is a veritable pop uprising that demonstrates the sophisticated madam’s unladylike penchant for tunes that compel you to get ur sweat on. “The Richard X track”, Sophie says tantalisingly, “is like Borderline era Madonna.” Then there’s the much talked of Calvin Harris song Off & On which sounds like it could easily replicate the dizzee success the lanky Scot has become accustomed to.

Since her last album Trip The Light Fantastic in 2007 Sophie hasn’t just been holed up in the studio creating the pop soundtrack to 2010 she’s been on the road, both on her own and supporting born again boy band Take That on their mega sell out Beautiful World tour. “That was brilliant,” she beams, “they’re such lovely guys and they really looked after me. They threw great parties and we were often staying in the same hotel so we’d all hang out.” Sophie was as much of a fan of the boys onstage as off, and could be regularly found in the wings singing along: “I would have loved to have run on for the Lulu part of Relight My Fire but they actually had a bloke sing it.”

Sophie emerged ten years ago with rare poise amidst the most memorable chart scuffle since Brit pop. Groovejet (If This Ain’t Love) with Italian producer Spiller, her debut solo release (after splitting with rock band theaudience) has recently been awarded the astonishing accolade of ‘the decade’s most played track on radio.’ “That’s so cool, I’m really proud of that. I thought it would have been something like Can’t Get you Out of My Head.”

Since those early beginnings Sophie has stuck with her record label Polydor/Fascination and they’ve stuck by her, something rare in an industry where everyone from Kylie, Janet and Mariah have at one time been ‘let go’. She has lived through the mid-late noughties mire of landfill Indie and come out the other side lipstick (Coral Queen is a current fave) barely smudged.

On the subject of lippy, Ms E-B always gave good face, so it was no surprise she was chosen along with Kate Moss as the face of Rimmel cosmetics in 2008, and she has just renewed her contract. “They sponsored my tour years back, so there was already a seed there, plus I genuinely like what they do.” She’s not kidding either, Sophie is make-up obsessed, “I’ve still got make-up I had when I was 16, which I’m probably not supposed to do - I love it.”

Isn’t she daunted following in the footsteps of the world’s most famous super model? “I can’t deny that the first day on set for the Rimmel ads I was very conscious of the fact Kate Moss is a modern icon. I just focused on the thought that I was adding to it, rather than carrying on from where she left off, because I’m not daft, I know that’s not happening.

Sophie the entrepreneur expanded her repertoire in 2008 with successful Soho club night Modern Love. She ran the club and DJed with husband Richard Jones (guitarist with indie band The Feeling) in a tag-team playfully dubbed ‘Me and Mr Jones’. “DJing got me back into being really excited about music,” she says, galloping off ten words a second, “wanting to hear old and new stuff really loud and seeing if it filled the dancefloor.” Amazingly Sophie and Richard were also responsible for some serious carnage. “About a year ago we did a set at Imperial College,” recalls Sophie. “We were playing stuff like 9-5, and David Bowie and Prince, moving into Chemical Brothers and Basement Jaxx, but when we played Rage Against The Machine they went crazy and nearly knocked down all the security barriers. The promoter told us it was the most lairy reaction they’d ever had to DJs.”

This time spent DJing certainly had an effect on Straight To The Heart. Nearly every song on it is a stiletto snapping dance floor demon. “I think there are two songs that are slower,” Sophie says wracking her brain, “but I’d start writing something and think, ‘oh I like these chords, shall we do a ballad? Nah four to the floor!’”

“I do what I do and I really enjoy it”, says Sophie, “In the past I’ve tried out different things, but I always come back to the stuff I do best, which is electro pop, and it’s also what I really enjoy. Sometimes you can’t fight it. There’s plenty of time for me to do…whatever it is you’re supposed to do when you get old.”

SOURCE: myspace.com/sophieellisbextor

Sophie's fourth album is still in progress - some updates

A few days ago, Sophie tweeted that her official website would get a make-over soon. I couldn't wait, so i changed the header on the blog - what are your thoughts about it? Cos for the first time, its not neat and organised.. Montage, dare i say.
Anyway, the fourth album is still in progress. As Sophie continues to record, we get little bits of information from her official website and her twitter:

ONE -
Sophie is song-writing in LA. She mentioned this already on her twitter.
"in LA. what should i do while i'm here? any restaurant recommendations? am here to songwrite primarily but can make time to eat of course.."
She has also been flying to Sweeden to add some final touches to her material. Any guesses as to who she is working there? :)

TWO -
There could be a song called "Let's Go Out", cos that is what i gathered from a Twitter conversation:
Julian: hey sophie, how are you? did yo hear 'let's go out' yet? you likes? jules x
Sophie: i haven't had the latest version. would love to hear it. i'm sure i'll love it. hope you're good.
Julian: can you whizz me a direct message with your email on it and i'll send? x
But this could be wrong speculation. For all we know it is one of the songs he produced and wanted to Sophie to listen if she wanted something similar.

THREE -
Her official website says she is working with Greg Kurstin again, which i think is a very good thing. I have been saying that she should work with Greg again. I think Fascination is trying to purchase another instant hit for her, well, works for me.
"Working with some of the biggest names in the business, Sophie has got together with Greg Kurstin, who added the sparkle to Sophie’s "Catch You", Kylie Minogue’s hit single “Wow” and some of Lily Allen’s top tracks."

FOUR -
She is working with Andreas Kleerup
"Hitmaker Andreas Kleerup has also been working alongside Sophie, who you will know as the man behind Robyn’s smash No. 1 record “With Every Heartbeat."
I'm not a fan of any of Robyn's works. But i gather that she is liked by a lot of people, so i'm hoping she comes up with something amazing with Kleerup.

FIVE -
There MIGHT be a new single in January. Sophie stated on her twitter that she will have a new single in January. But i'm guessing that is just a possibility, considering her release schedule statistics.
"new single in january.. x"

SIX -
Sophie knew how to play the guitar when she was in theaudience, but she tried not to play because of one funny incident when she played a wrong note (or something like that) live. She also knows how to play the piano. Now she is learning to play a new instrument.
"i am going to learn xylophone and play a solo on all my stuff. under a spotlight. wouldn't that be great!"