Daily Mail EXCLUSIVE: Alexandra Burke to debut 'sleeker... sophisticated sound' with a free downloadable EP of six new tracks

EXCLUSIVE: Alexandra Burke to debut 'sleeker... sophisticated sound' with a free downloadable EP of six new tracks 

By JENNIFER RUBY

PUBLISHED: 13:47, 20 August 2013 | UPDATED: 15:53, 20 August 2013

Although she's had a successful music career since winning The X Factor, her future seemed uncertain when she parted ways with her record company back in June.

But now Alexandra Burke is set to release an EP of brand new material after signing a management deal with US super league company KWL.

Featuring six exclusive tracks, New Rules will be available to download at the beginning of September and features collaborations with the likes of Wretch 32.

New material: Alexandra Burke will release an EP featuring six new tracks ahead of her third studio album next year

The EP, which will be exclusively available to download on MailOnline 48 hours prior to its general release on August 30, promises to showcase Alexandra's 'sleeker, more sophisticated' sound.

The 24-year-old, who spent much of 2012 trying to launch her career across the pond in the US, is releasing the brand new music as a 'thank you' to the fans who have stuck by her since her X Factor win five years ago.

In a bid to build momentum ahead of the release of her third studio album, which is billed for next year, the EP will showcase the star's new sound.

Updated sound: The new music promises to be 'sleeker' and more 'sophisticated' than her previous material

Celebrating: Alexandra was presented with a special cake to mark her 25th birthday at V Festival at the weekend

While Alexandra became known for her catchy pop and R&B songs at the start of her career, she is set to showcase a different set of singing skills later this year as she takes on Lady Sings The Blues in a series of concerts.

Originally scheduled to happen in June, the singer reportedly pushed back the shows due to an 'overwhelming demand' for tickets.

Alexandra was at V Festival over the weekend to catch other people's music, but didn't miss out on the limelight as she celebrated her birthday in the Virgin Media Louder Lounge.

Career comeback: After signing with a new management company, Alexandra is gearing up for a new sound

She was presented with a colourful five-tiered cake in front of family and friends as she partied in an unusual kimono-style yellow top.

The star admitted that she had already offered her congratulations to Simon Cowell after it was revealed that he is expecting his first child.

'I wasn't shocked,' she told Heat. 'I think he'll be a stern father. He's going to make a great dad. And I sent my love via Twitter.'

But despite her joy for Simon, romance seems to be the furthest thing from Alexandra's mind as she admitted that she's putting all her energies into her music.

'Music is my main priority right now,' she said. 'Don’t get me wrong – if love wants to come along that’s OK. But I’m not looking for love. I don’t have time to.'

For the fans: Alexandra had admitted that the new EP is for the people who have supported her over the years

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2397947/Alexandra-Burke-set-release-EP-brand-new-material-debuts-sleeker-sound.html#ixzz2cYZMwJqB
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Lucy Mecklenburgh shows off her slinky figure in an orange evening gown for new high-fashion shoot

EXCLUSIVE: Return of the 'fro! Lucy Mecklenburgh shows off her svelte frame (and voluminous hair) in a slinky orange evening gown for new high-fashion shoot

By LOUISE SAUNDERS

PUBLISHED: 13:54, 13 August 2013 | UPDATED: 14:45, 13 August 2013

She caused a stir last week when she stepped out with a positively hair-raising new 'do. 

But it would seem Lucy Mecklenburgh's voluminous style wasn't in vain, and was in fact for a high-fashion new shoot that could take her career in a completely new direction. 

The 21-year-old reality star was sporting the afro locks for a series of test shots for Select Model Management, where she has recently been signed. 

Model behaviour: Lucy Mecklenburgh showed off her svelte figure in a striking tangerine lace evening gown in a series of high-fashion test shots for Select Model Management

Working her magic in front of the camera, the TOWIE beauty showed off her svelte figure in a striking tangerine lace evening gown with cascading ruffle detail.

With the chic orange dress clinging to her hourglass shape, the brunette bombshell ditched her usual deep tan in favour of a perfect porcelain look that was far more conducive to her stylish new image. 

Lucy accessorised with a thick gold cuff bracelet, while wearing fluro green eyeshadow and dramatic eyeliner flicks to complement her voluminous hairstyle. 

Tangerine dream: Featuring cascading ruffle detail, the chic orange dress perfectly complemented the 21-year-old TOWIE star's stunning hourglass curves

Flawless: The shoot marked the return of the reality star's afro hairstyle, and saw her ditch her usual deep tan in favour of a perfect porcelain look that was far more conducive to her stylish new image

In a number of other shots, the Essex beauty pouted into the distance as she showcased a disco-inspired peach one-shoulder dress, paired with huge oversized earrings and a think white belt to accentuate her tiny waist. 

A final snap saw Lucy look over her shoulder seductively as she posed in a striking plunging back emerald green gown. 

The TOWIE star was first spotted out and about with her afro-style hairdo last Wednesday when she left the high-fashion shoot for Select Model Management in central London. 

Disco queen: In another shot, the Essex beauty pouted into the distance as she showcased a peach one-shoulder dress, paired with huge oversized earrings and a think white belt to accentuate her tiny waist

A new look: Lucy wore fluro green eyeshadow and dramatic eyeliner flicks to complement her voluminous hairstyle

And the look was so startling that one male passer-by couldn't help but gawp in amazement. 

But Lucy seemed to love her shocking new look, writing on her Twitter page: 'Just putting it out there ... I love my new fro.'

However, it appeared that despite her previous protestations, the pretty brunette didn't love her new style enough to keep it for more than one day, and was spotted getting it brushed out and relaxed back to its normal look on Thursday morning in Brentwood, Essex.

Since splitting from former fiance, Mario Falcone, in April, Lucy has been throwing herself into a rigorous diet and exercise regime. 

Turning them green with envy: A final snap saw Lucy look over her shoulder seductively as she posed in a striking plunging back emerald green gown

Hair-rasing! The brunette beauty was so impressed with her foxy new 'do that she posted a 'selfie' on her Twitter and Instagram pages last week

And her impressive physique of late is thanks to her Results With Lucy programme, which focuses on problem areas like bottoms and tummies by using a mixture of cardio and strength training.

Speaking about her changing figure, she said recently: 'I noticed a difference in myself, I felt healthier, had lots more energy, I was more toned.

'I've lost all my cellulite, my body feels amazing and I've even started to get little abs.'

Startling! One passerby was so shocked by Lucy's look as she left the shoot in central London last week that he couldn't help but gawp in amazement

Hair today: But the following day, Lucy headed off to have her hair relaxed back into its normal style again at her local salon in Brentwood, Essex

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2391185/Lucy-Mecklenburgh-shows-svelte-frame-voluminous-hair.html#ixzz2btJVypnN
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