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It would seem absence does make the heart grow fonder, all be it certainly in the case of audience and band. With new album Blood Pressure, The Kills find themselves in that coveted position of highly anticipated. And that confidence is all over the new record 'Satellite' - all darkness and deliverance.

Yet another Hottest Record In The World from Chase & Status. 'Hitz' is just the latest bold statement from Will & Saul themselves. It forms the centrepiece of an album that's not short on collaborations. Cee-Lo Green, White Lies, Plan B, & Dizzee Rascal have already been recruited to add their voice to Chase & Status's latest rallying cry which takes the form of new album 'No More Idols'. With our latest exclusive play, the boys have teamed up with the hottest hitmaker the UK has to offer, Tinie Tempah. Chase & Status have declared themselves proud to make Hitz.

A real bone fide, complex and interest pop star to represent the UK at last. Full of talent and ambition, Jessie J has a real ability to balance the two with a self-confidence most pop stars lack - which will partly explain her rock solid resume of remixes to date. Benny Page brings a tasty carnival DnB vibe to 'Price Tag'.

Listen to tonight's show. Hottest record begins 30 minutes in.

Two years in the making, Panic At The Disco ready a brand new album, called 'Vices and Virtues' and tonight we got the ball rolling with a brand new Hottest Record. Decisive and devisive, Panic have always danced to their own drum so fans will embrace automatically. What about the rest of you, do you get it?

Pete & The Pirates are back, 3 years and counting since 'Little Death' and the boys return with new single 'Come To The Bar' with qoute "vintage synth lines bubbling under motorik rhythms" they ain't messin' around. 2011 is their year.

Tonight's Hottest Record is a perfectly constructed moment captured by an artist who clearly lives in it. James Blake has crafted a sound that is so needed right now as the reaction to 'The Wilhelm Scream' tonight attests. Woosy, spacious, beautiful and entirely memorable, this is a keeper.

With the success of the last album now a distant memory but a constant source of comfort, Elbow sound understandably relaxed & confident on their return. Tonight's Hottest Record pre-empts a new album that will no doubt further establish them as one of the UK's enduring greats.

Great story behind this Hottest Record. To cut a long one short, Lupe's fans responded to his record label's cavalier approach to his new album 'Lasers' by protesting outside their offices and just like that we have a release date and a first single called - The Show Goes On' Thank goodness they did because it's one of the freshest sounding rap records of the moment. Check it out.

JayZ and Kanye West and their must-talked about 'Watch The Throne' project was finally unearthed today with a dramatic dose of hip hopera called H.A.M. Sounding battle hungry in the wake of their recent critical and commercial achievements, this is street rap thrown down with little or no regard for the listeners comfort. In short it's badass.

Spikey start to the blog for us this year as we welcome back Lower Than Atlantis with a short and sharp tribute to their buddy Josh the male model. It features on their new album 'World Record' which is 'rocking' according to singer Mike.