black and blood

Darren Hayes has released some deets about the second single from his forthcoming longplayer, "Secret Codes And Battleships".

"Bloodstained Heart" is scheduled to be released in Australia on September 5.



It's a beautiful ballad that starts with a lonely, throbbing guitar and builds through a beautifully heartbreaking chorus and ends with a brutally epic arrangement which would make Jimmy Webb shed a jealous tear. Simply gorgeous.

On October 2, the rest of the world outside Oz gets a different track, "Black Out The Sun".



It's another big pop number, but it's dressed in some hip hop inspired drum programming without the melody ever being compromised. The chorus is very expressive with a smattering of Middle Eastern flavored string arrangements laid over the top.

Three singles in and Mr. Hayes' next elpee sounds quite promising, indeed. "Secret Codes And Battleships" is due to be available from all fine "shops" on October 17. Many friends who have heard the new longplayer at recent playback sessions in London and NYC have indicated that this might be his finest and fully satisfying album to date.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to attend the session during my recent visit to London as I was deeply ensconced in various studios across the capital working on songs for other artists. I guess I'll have to wait until the album is unleashed!