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At this stage my favourite single from Ben Howard is also his heaviest. 'The Fear' is an eloquent and prefectly observed meditation on where one stands in the world at any given moment, and whilst extremely personal to the artist, will also speak volumes to the listener. And that is the perfect trade.

After a fairly unorthodox start with the slinky disco groove of 'Called Out In The Dark', its' back to ballads for Snow Patrol for tonight's Hottest Record. But what a ballad. Taking everythig that Gary Lightbody has to offer the world of emorock and delivering it with that big stadium sound. They will not be losing any fans with this.

Spoilt for choice tonight on Tonight's Hottest Record. But the interest in this new Metallica / Lou Reed collaboration seems high. Unlikely collaborators or a moment of genius, what do you think?

Amidst rumour and speculation regarding new music from a reformed Bloc Party, Kele continues to release music on his own steam. Tonight's Hottest Record is one that features on a forth-coming EP that takes him even further into the club.

Zane is in Ibiza living the dream, so you have the pleasure of myself filling in and trying not to be too gushing about Mastodon. Few bands rule so hard. New album The Hunter faced up to the seamingly impossible task of following up Crack The Skye, one of the greatest rock albums in the last 20 years. Sure thats a big statement that's well debateable, but hey, I'm just saying it how I see it. Basically, if the thought of mixing together The Melvins, QOTSa and Thin Lizzy and then getting members of Neurosis and Rush to play those songs whets your whistle then good. You and me can hang out...

The words mystical, enigmatic, mysterious get thrown around a bit in the music world. More often than not they really mean the opposite, but in the case of WULYF it's hard not to be drawn in. First thing you notice is just how good the songs really are and they really are. Secondly I kind of think the whole stand-offish nature of this band isn't so much of an act as an act of self-defence. WU LYF remain pure to their passions.

Next week's album of the week 'Velociraptor' is Kasabian's best yet and we will be airing large portions of the interview with Tom and Serge as well. So tonight we get a nice warm up with 'Man Of Simple Pleasures'. If you're a fan, next week is the one for you.

It seems that Florence and The Machine are only going in one direction with this new album. More bigger, more epic, more fans. Hottest Record Shake it Out is a huge Hottest Record for us tonight. Check out the interview on our pages now.

Bigger ambition and bigger production from The Big Pink and collaborator Paul Epworth on tonight's Hottest Record 'Stay Gold' and by all accounts on the new album 'Future This' which is out in January. This is clearly an occasion that this band have risen to.

Ed S contines his on/off residency in the Hottest Record department with his new single 'Lego House'. But surely by now attention is well and truely focused on his debut album as a whole. + will not dissapoint on it's release. This young man is about as much of a sureshot as you can get right now.

Another brand new DJ Shadow record from his forth coming album. As the title suggests, this has been one more sneak attack after another and it sounds like he's loving it. I can't wait to hear the album in full and as one, in the meantime enjoy this collaboration with Tom Vek.

Another exclusive from the Blink 182 camp for us tonight. Band member Mark Hoppus told us that 'After Midnight' was a song written and recorded after they had postponed their UK tour - so there is a silver lining. The album 'Neighbourhoods' drops in 3 weeks.

Breaking all the rules, or at least any that we had foolishly imposed on Justice - tonight's Hottest Record treads all kinds of new ground. 'Audio, Video, Disco', at 152 BPM is an exercise in restraint as much as it is a full dose of that familiar Justice sound. I think the new album will be full of surprises and better for it.

Number 1 singles, high profile collaborations, non stop touring and award shows have only bolstered Example's ambition to succeed and all will pay off upon release of his forthcoming new album 'Playing In The Shadows'. Tonight we've got an album track upfront called 'Midnight Run' and some time with the kid...