Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Bittersweet

[Chris_2k11]

Sophie Ellis-Bextor has revealed that she has nearly finished her fourth studio album.

The singer, who gave birth to her second son Kit Valentine in February, said that the new record will be her most dance sounding to date and also features a number of collaborations.

"The album's pretty much done - we've got about three quarters of the way through it," she told DS.

"I was supposed to have finished it earlier in the year but then I had my baby so my schedule changed somewhat."

Speaking about the direction of the record, she added: "If anything the album's going to be a bit more dance and a bit more electro.

"In the past my albums have featured quite a broad range of genres - a bit of indie, a bit of electro - but this one definitely feels like it's more dance-centric. I've done tracks with Calvin Harris, Metronomy and Liam from the Sneaker Pimps, which is maybe why!"

Ellis-Bextor's last album Trip The Light Fantastic was released in May 2007 and debuted at number seven.

[Bryan]

OMG she's performing at one of the gay clubs in Birmingham at end of the month! Only £7.99 a ticket!!!

[Bryan]

OMG she's performing at one of the gay clubs in Birmingham at end of the month! Only £7.99 a ticket!!!

just got tickets! :D

[Perdita]

Have a great time L)

[sindydoll]

i honestly cant stand her at all i hate her voice so much

[Bryan]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u973qJgNE5k

bittersweet has leaked, as if i didnt know about this sooner! love it! :O

[Bryan]

actually in love with Bittersweet!:heart:

[Chris_2k11]

ooh liking this :D

[Bryan]

Can't believe how much I love this. People in the industry are saying it's the 'cant get you out of my head' of the 10s. I have to agree! Totally in love with it!

[Bryan]

here's the video for Just Can't Fight This Feeling, a song she's done in France with some French DJ. Shame it's not being released over here!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8iTN88cY2g

[Bryan]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3hveGPsmUQ

OMG i'm in love with it!!!! got actual goosebumps from it! <3

[Perdita]

Following last year's summer smash with the Freemasons, 'Heartbreak (Make Me A Dancer)', Sophie Ellis-Bextor has proved that lightning can indeed strike twice by teaming up with the dance duo again from her cracking newbie 'Bittersweet'. In the middle of a promo tour for the single - and mere minutes before she was due on live telly - we managed to grab a quick chat with Mademoiselle E-B herself.

What's the response to the new single been like?
"Good, it all seems positive so far. I probably shouldn't say this but I think it sounds really good on the radio! I'm happy with how it's all shaping up."

What sort of chart position are you hoping for?
"God, I honestly haven't given it that much thought. I think whatever position means that the next single gets support and the album does OK. I think the more important thing is that it hangs around - a bit of longevity would be good, please!"

Have you decided what the next single's going to be?
"It's going to be 'Off And On', the track penned by Calvin Harris and Cathy Dennis."

You posted 'Off And On' on your MySpace page a while ago - are you worried that will affect sales?
"Nah, I don't think that's how things work anyway. I put 'Heartbreak' up a while before I released that too. Lily Allen put 'The Fear' up on her MySpace about a year before it came out and it still did really well. It's a new mix of the song too."

Any ideas on what the video will be like?
"Well, ages ago there was talk about 'Off And On' being the first single and I was approached by [director] Sophie Muller and she had some really good ideas for the video. I think it was something to do with having a fairground on my face! Hopefully we can revisit that idea because it sounds intriguing! I'd be foolish not to see what that's all about, wouldn't I?"

Is the album ready to go now?
"Yes, there's one song that needs a final tweek, and then we'll master it and sort out a running order, and then we're done. I think the next single will be out the last week of July and the album will be out the following week. Knowing me, that could all change, but that's what I've been told!"

There's an especially dancey song on your album called 'Revolution' - what's the story behind it?
"Well, I wrote it with Greg Kurstin and Cathy Dennis and it was actually the quickest song to write on my whole album. We started work at midday and Cathy had to leave by 4pm, and we even had time for some lunch outside in the garden, so it was probably about three hours' work. I think it sounds great - really fresh and quite heavy. The best bit is that it refers to 'Murder On The Dancefloor'."

Was the reference to 'Murder On The Dancefloor' intentional?
"Yes, very much so! It wasn't my idea - I think I'm too British to think of something like that - but Cathy suggested it and I really liked the idea. I think it's great if you've been around a while to reference yourself."

Do you think it will be a single in the future?
"I think so, maybe after 'Off And On'? The third single will either be 'Revolution' or a track called 'Starlight', which was produced by Richard X. I think that's quite a pretty song. I like all the songs on the album though, so I don't really mind what's a single."

What's your favourite track on the album?
"I like all the ones we've been talking about, but there's another song I did with Richard X called 'Magic' which I really like. I always know a song is a favourite when I start imagining myself on galloping horses - that often means I'm onto a winner! There's also a song called 'Dial My Number' which has a great electro vibe."

Would describe it as a dance album?
"Very much so - more so than any of my other albums. What I'm planning next though is an album that's really different. I think I need to do something different now and move on from the dance stuff. I might come back to it, but I think this album is a good way to bow out of the dance sound for now. I think it's finishing on a high."

Any ideas of what sound you might take on next?
"Yes, but I won't say just in case I change my mind! It's still couple of years away, but I still like thinking about these things now."

'Bittersweet' is out on May 3.