[News Spam] Mariah Carey, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Cher and Charlotte Church

Mariah Carey has released the title to the follow-up single to smash, #Beautiful. Are you ready for this? Well here it is, the name of her next single will be: The Art Of Letting Go...Yes, the same title as that of her new album. You know, the one she told us the name of back in August! Totally worth the wait...

Also, Mariah dropped a message to her lambs, via Facebook, telling them of the trials and tribulations that she has suffered of late. Her latest set will reflect these struggles, thus creating one of her most "important albums" to date . No shade, but Mariah, you say near enough the same thing everytime you release a new album. Still stoked for it though.

[Vocal Profile] Charlotte Church

Vocal Type: Full-Lyric Soprano
Vocal Range: 2 Octaves 5 notes and a semitone (Eb3-C6)
Whistle Register: No
Vocal Pluses: Being a product of the classical world, Charlotte Church has received vocal training that has allowed for her to manage and understand the inner workings of her instrument. With this knowledge comes a voice that is confident, assured and skilful in its delivery. She would also have been taught about breath control, and this is shown in practice by Church’s ability to hold notes and navigate long phrases, often through registers, without losing breath or the correct support. It also affords the singer excellent mastery of dynamics; being able to begin a phrase loud and projected, but end it gentle and soft [Hear:Breach Of The Peace].

The lower range isn’t particularly extensive-  beginning in the third octave- but the control here means that Church is able to produce tones that are substantial and without the fogginess many Divas exhibit in the lower extremes of their range [The Rise]. Her voice leads seamlessly in tone and timbre into the midrange, and both share a distinct and identifiable character.

Church is primarily a midrange belter, being most comfortable at the upper end of the fourth octave and lower end of the fifth. This being so, the singer produces a tone that is weighty, full and resonant. As her head voice overlaps the chest voice- being heard as low as a  B4- the singer is often heard jumping between the two parts to create interest in the vocal line. However, she is capable in either register.

Perhaps the most impressive part of Church’s range is the head voice. Having honed it during her early years in the Classical world, the Diva exhibits a skill in this part of her voice that allows for impressive tonal variety. The voice here can be light and airy [Hear:Lasts, Or Eschaton ], thick and operatic [Sparrow], or balanced so brilliantly with its chest voice counterpart that it skirts the line between the two, never sounding quite like either.

Being so capable in her head voice and her mix, Church has no problem transitioning through the range; making it sound as if there are no breaks to be found in the voice at all. To further polish her notes, the singer is able to add a balanced and controlled vibrato that can either sound operatic or contemporary depending on the how she chooses to apply it

Vocal Negatives: It would be impressive if Church worked further on her fifth octave belting, while simultaneously developing her lower range.

[Album Review] Charlotte Church Continues To Amaze With Ep "Three"

To those hoping to hear more from Charlotte Church's  mezzo, you need look no further than her newly released EP, Three. In fact you won't have to wait longer than the coda of first track-the stunning Sparrow- to witness the Diva deftly using its operatic weight against a cacophony of dissonant guitars. It's an apt introduction to this collection of seven songs, which are darker in tone and more experimental with the vocals.

[Free Music] Download Charlotte Church's Excellent "TWO" EP!

If I had known Charlotte Church's excellent TWO EP was being given away for free, I'd have told you guys sooner! Unfortunately, it's only today that I stumbled upon this wondrous news! If you are feeling extra generous, the site from which it's being distributed does give you the ability to offer a monetary tip- so dig deep if you can to support this independent venture- however, it's not a necessity in getting your mitts on it. (You can also buy it on Itunes, here.)

I have to admit I cheaped Charlotte out of my money when downloading- but that's only because I have none at the moment! I shall, however, (hopefully) make it up to the Welsh woman by greasing her palm when I buy tickets to see her perform in London, come September! Also, my brother has bought a copy of the EP already, so at least someone with half the same DNA as me has paid for it. That's something, right?

Charlotte's next EP is due in August, but if you liked this collection of songs I strongly suggest you buy its predecessor (entitled, ONE), here.

[Music Spam] Come Partake! (Vegetarians Welcome)

Music time! Here's a "spam post" of various songs that are doing the rounds in my uneventful world at the moment! Take a listen and let me know whatcha all think in the comments, below!

[Review] Charlotte Church: "ONE" EP

As far as I can work out, Charlotte Church has decided to make music her own way. Those that follow these things will know that she has recently been quietly touring small venues across the country and as far as I can work out surprising many people with her latest change in direction. According to her fan newsletter she is planning to release 5 EPs over the coming year and the first one (titled 'O N E') came out this week via iTunes. I have no idea whether she will be releasing a hard copy too. Here's what I thought:

[Review] Charlotte Church: "How Not To Be Surprised When You're a Ghost"

Former childhood classical star Charlotte Church is back on the musical scene and seems to have gone all Alternative/indie on us. Taken from her September due EP One, the song How Not To Be Surprised When You're a Ghost finds the Welsh singer taking a confident stride in this new musical direction.

Admittedly, I wouldn't have recognised How Not To Be Surprised When You're a Ghost as Charlotte Church if I hadn't been watching the (slightly creepy) video while listening. It's just so different from anything I've ever heard from her. Luckily, it's "different" in a great way.