One of the most successful female artists of her generation, Melanie C is back. Following three deftly successful solo albums and sales in excess of 3 million, she returns on April 2nd with the eagerly awaited new LP ‘This Time’.Featuring 12 stunning pop tracks and a shimmering guitar sound propelled by Melanie’s powerhouse vocals, it’s her first release since 2005’s platinum LP ‘Beautiful Intentions’Largely co-written by Melanie and Adam Argyle (who wrote Melanie’s Top Ten single ‘Next Best Superstar’), ‘This Time’ is released on her own independent label ‘Red Girl Records’. With tracks produced by Steve Mac and Stephen Hague - whose previous credits include New Order, Siouxsie & The Banshees and Robbie Williams – it’s a sonic soundscape of impressive stature.A personal triumph for the accomplished singer/songwriter, highlights include the defiantly addictive ‘Protected’ - which Melanie co-wrote with Guy Chambers and Cathy Dennis - the bristling energy of opening-track ‘Understand’ and Melanie’s stellar reinvigoration of the classic 80’s hit ‘I Want Candy’. Taken from the film of the same name, the single’s stunning video immediately shot to Number 1 on You Tube with a staggering 200,000 views. From the very first listen there’s no denying Melanie’s artistic growth and evolved, personal depth as a writer. With almost a decade of live performances to her name, her natural progression is perfectly reflected here. From beginning to end, the LP boasts beautiful, intimate lyrics against a backdrop of smooth, dynamic sounds - ‘This Time’ is undoubtedly her time. “I’ve always enjoyed playing with different genres, but ultimately this is a pop album” Melanie says. “ Albeit a very beautiful pop album.”

“I found it difficult to start this record because I was so in love with my last one, but, incidentally, that was an inspiration. I’ve had a lot of success in Europe with ballads and softer sounds, so decided to embrace that and create something more acoustic-led. Saying that, ‘I Want Candy’ is a project by itself – it’s me being poptastic,” she beams. “I wanted to exceed people’s expectations and pull a few punches. That’s all here.” P.T.O Other highlights include ‘Don’t Let Me Go’ - co-written by Jill Jackson of Speedway and featuring co-writer Adam Argyle on vocals for the first time - plus, the incandescent, razor-sharp hook of ‘Carolyna’, which reunited Melanie with her longest-serving band member Paul Gendler, originally in the Spice Girl’s band. “I had an excellent team of writers, producers and musicians, so a lot of the songs came very quickly. We wanted something beautiful and stripped that was also very dynamic – we didn’t forsake one for the other.”

In particular, the LP reaches an emotive fever pitch with ‘Your Mistake’ – a track delicately written about her parents’ separation. “That song definitely ran a little deeper and was very cathartic. As with the rest of the album, my heart’s on my sleeve.”

Melanie’s incredible solo success boasts 6 UK Top Ten singles, 2 Top Ten LPs and almost 200 combined weeks on the UK charts. The only female performer to top the charts independently and as part of a duo, quartet and quintet, she has also appeared on 11 Number 1 singles – a total never bettered by another female artist.

Live dates will be announced shortlyMelanie C

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