DISCOVERED : arlissa

Another one to watch for 2013 (I first heard of her from her amazing throwback duet with Nas 'Hard To Love Somebody'), Arlissa's 'Sticks and Stones' single is slowly creeping onto radio and airplay in the UK and I'm loving it. The artworks are solid as well, so she gets both thumbs up!

NEW SINGLE ARTWORK : charli xcx - you (ha ha ha)

My favourite new artist from 2012 (that I tip for the top 2013...) is set to release her first official debut single next week and here is the artwork. For me it doesn't compare to the Tumblr/GIF-inspired video...but it's still solid :)

NEW SINGLE ARTWORK : taylor swift - 22

NEW ALBUM ARTWORK : justin timberlake - the 20/20 experience

When 'Suit & Tie' appeared online, JT also updated his website (justintimberlake.com). When first entering the site, a piece opticians equipment appears on screen and focuses so the viewer can read the words "JT The 20/20 Experience". Who guessed that this was a teaser for the very equipment-heavy album artwork?? Featuring a Tom Munro photograph, the cover follows a very similar layout to the single cover - a solid visual theme so far, simonsez approves.

NEW REMIX SINGLE ARTWORK : ke$ha - die young (remix) (ft. juicy j, wiz khalifa & becky g)

NEW PROMO PIC : beyoncé 'the mrs. carter show : world tour'

Today saw an image emerge that could be the first promo picture for King B's next step towards world domination...tentatively titled 'The Mrs. Carter Show : World Tour'! She said she has a big announcement after her Superbowl performance tomorrow...who thinks it'll be tour dates??

UPDATE : Today is definitely B-day! Still coming down from the high of her halftime show, then the world tour announcement and with each passing hour more details and promo pics seem to be arising. Such as this new poster:

NEW SINGLE ARTWORK : chrisette michelle - a couple of forevers

LIVING for that typeface and also the combination of black and white/close up of eyes photograph! :)

NEW REMIX SINGLE ARTWORK : bridget kelly - in the morning (remix) (ft. meek mill)

Bridget Kelly released one of my favourite EPs of 2012 titled 'Every Girl' - one of the standout tracks was 'In The Morning', which has been given a remix makeover with the help of Meek Mill. Check out the bland artwork below, but check out the track as well!

NEW SINGLE ARTWORK : dido - no freedom & let us move on (ft. kendrick lamar)

Dido's proper comeback single is 'No Freedom' and here is the "lying on the carpet"-ified visual to go with it. Well done Dido and well done Dido's team.

Allllso - there was a buzz single released for the album at the end of last year, here's the majorly "buzzerific" cover:

NEW SINGLE ARTWORK : p!nk - just give me a reason (ft. nate reuss)

Meh-central :/ Too many typefaces, awkward colouring on "P!NK" and what looks like a video still image... equals not good in simonsez's opinion. Even though 'Try's artwork was a rip off of Kylie's 'X' cover, it still beats this one hands down.

! updated ! NEW ALBUM ARTWORK : kate nash - girl talk

I really love how Kate keeps the "cut and paste" look to each of her artworks, but also manages to feel completely new and reflective of the music era she is experimenting with. simonsez approves and looks forward to the full artwork layout!

NEW SINGLE ARTWORK : one direction - one way or another (comic relief single 2013)

It was only a matter of time before these guys were signed up for a Comic Relief single - and more power to them, reminds me of the days of big pop bands having massive success with these types of releases in the 90s (see: Spice Girls' 'Who Do You Think You Are'). Here's hoping the video has some good ol' pop/comedy gold...

NEW REMIX EP : skylar grey - come and let me ride (remixes)

NEW SINGLE ARTWORK : alicia keys - brand new me (part 2)

NEW REMIX SINGLE ARTWORK : will.i.am - scream & shout (remix) (ft. britney spears, diddy, lil wayne, hit boy & waka flocka flame)

NEW SINGLE ARTWORK : t-boz - champion

The TLC-alum brings forth an early contender for 2013's "Crappiest Cover" award. I feel like I'm staring at a tramp stamp of some wayward hussy who couldn't decide between Viner Hand ITC or some kind of oriental typeface to use for her beloved's name, just above her ass... #ratchet

NEW SINGLE ARTWORK : cassie - all gold, all girls (remix) (ft. trina & lola monroe)

The next single from her up coming 'Rock-A-Bye Baby' mixtape, Cassie keeps it golded out errythang...

NEW REMIX SINGLE ARTWORK : cher lloyd - with ur love (ft. juicy j)

NEW EP ARTWORK : jessie ware - if you're never gonna move

Another British export to try her luck cracking America is J-j-j-jessie Ware. Just like The Saturdays though, Ms. Ware's artwork feels a little safer then her earlier covers... obviously it's gotta sell - but the '110%' artwork still sits in my mind as so peacefully beautiful. Step it up!

NEW EP ARTWORK : the saturdays - chasing the saturdays

To celebrate the beginning of their US charts assault, The Sats are releasing a 4 track EP to coincide with their new E! show 'Chasing The Saturdays'. The artwork is not as delicious as some of their earlier, block colour pieces - but it's cute (are they going for the "look how British we are - eat us up, America!"?).