Andy Bell, the iconic voice behind Erasure, is set to release a new solo album titled **Ten Crowns** on May 2, 2025, via Crown Recordings. It's been 15 years since his last solo endeavor, and this upcoming release promises to be a captivating blend of synth-pop with fresh influences.

Written and produced in collaboration with renowned producer and DJ Dave Audé, **Ten Crowns** merges the classic synth sounds fans have come to love with touches of dance and gospel. Audé's extensive work with artists like U2, Beyoncé, and Madonna brings a unique edge to the album. Notably, the record features a collaboration with Blondie's Debbie Harry, adding another layer of intrigue.

The lead single, "Breaking Thru The Interstellar," offers a glimpse into the album's atmosphere—mesmerizing synths paired with Bell's distinct vocals, creating a sound that's both nostalgic and forward-thinking.

**Formats and Editions:**

- **Vinyl:** Available in white and oxblood colored variants, as well as a limited-edition picture disc.
- **CD:** Standard edition and a 2CD deluxe edition, which includes Dave Audé’s exclusive continuous DJ mix of the album.
- **Cassette:** For the collectors and enthusiasts of analog sound.
- **Merchandise Bundles:** Bundles include combinations of vinyl, CD, cassette, badges, and signed prints.

**Tracklisting:**

1. **Breaking Thru The Interstellar**
2. **Lies So Deep**
3. **Heart’s a Liar**
4. **For Today**
5. **Dance for Mercy**
6. **Don’t Cha Know**
7. **Dawn of Heavens Gate**
8. **Godspell**
9. **Put Your Empathy on Ice**
10. **Thank You**

**Upcoming Tour:**

To support the album, Andy Bell will embark on a UK tour in May 2025, performing both new tracks and classics from his extensive career. The tour includes:

- May 1: York, Barbican
- May 2: Birmingham, Symphony Hall
- May 3: Manchester, Bridgewater Hall
- May 6: Glasgow, Royal Concert Hall
- May 7: Aberdeen, Music Hall
- May 8: Gateshead, Glasshouse ICM
- May 11: Bournemouth, Pavilion
- May 12: Guildford, G-Live
- May 13: Bath, Forum
- May 16: London, Shepherd’s Bush Empire
- May 18: Liverpool, Philharmonic
- May 19: Cambridge, Corn Exchange

Tickets go on general sale at 10 am UK time on Friday, February 7th.

**About Andy Bell:**

Andy Bell has been a defining figure in synth-pop since forming Erasure with Vince Clarke in 1985. With hits like "A Little Respect" and "Always," Erasure has sold over 25 million albums worldwide. **Ten Crowns** marks a significant return to his solo work, showcasing his evolution as an artist while staying true to the sound that has resonated with fans for decades.

**Pre-Order Information:**

Signed editions and exclusive bundles are available through the official Andy Bell Shop and select retailers. For collectors and audiophiles, the variety of formats ensures there's something special for everyone.

**Conclusion:**

This release is a noteworthy event for fans of synth-pop and electronic music. Andy Bell's collaboration with Dave Audé and guest artists like Debbie Harry hints at an album rich in creativity and sonic depth.

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Andy Bell to Release Solo Album 'Ten Crowns' on May 2, 2025

Denon and Dirac have just unveiled a revolutionary automotive audio system at CES 2025, and it's set to redefine our in-car listening experience. As audio enthusiasts, we've seen plenty of advancements over the years, but this collaboration truly takes things to the next level.

The Denon Car Audio Concept System, enhanced by Dirac's cutting-edge sound optimization and spatialization technologies, promises an immersive audio environment that's been previously unattainable in a vehicle. With a total of 22 speakers and exciters—including those ingeniously placed in headrests and integrated height channels—this system supports Dolby Atmos, bringing a multidimensional sound experience right into your car.

What makes this setup particularly exciting is the incorporation of components from Audio Foundry partners. The inclusion of Tymphany transducers and Trèves headrest exciters ensures that every nuance of your music is delivered with pristine clarity and depth. It's like having a high-end Denon home audio system embedded within your vehicle.

Achieving such immersive sound in the confined and acoustically challenging environment of a car is no small feat. Unwanted speaker interactions and interior-induced distortions have always been hurdles. However, Dirac's digital audio solutions expertly tackle these issues by optimizing driver performance and compensating for cabin acoustics. The result is a clear, distortion-free sound with enhanced bass response that we, as audiophiles, have long desired in an automotive setting.

One of the standout features of this system is its personalization capabilities. Users have the ability to tailor their audio experience and adjust equalization settings to match their unique preferences. And the best part? These configurations can be saved for future listening sessions, ensuring a consistently optimal experience every time you get behind the wheel.

It's also worth noting the storied history between Denon and Dirac. Their previous collaborations, such as the acclaimed Denon PerL earbuds and a range of top-tier audio-video receivers, have consistently pushed the boundaries of audio excellence. Now, they're bringing that same innovative spirit to the automotive world, and we couldn't be more thrilled.

While the Denon Car Audio Concept System is currently being showcased as a demonstration model at CES 2025, it's clear that this partnership is poised to set new standards in vehicle audio. We're eagerly anticipating more details on pricing and availability, as well as which lucky vehicles will feature this groundbreaking technology.

In a world where the lines between home and automotive audio are increasingly blurred, Denon and Dirac are leading the charge. This collaboration doesn't just promise better sound in our cars—it heralds a new era of in-car audio immersion that we’ve all been waiting for.

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Denon and Dirac Unveil Revolutionary Car Audio System

Denon and Dirac revolutionize in-car audio with Dolby Atmos system unveiled at CES 2025; 22 speakers and advanced sound technologies.

Just when we thought Klipsch couldn't surprise us anymore, they dropped a bombshell at CES 2025. For those who've been following since the 2023 release of the Music City Series, the newest additions are a real treat. Klipsch has expanded the lineup with three new portable Bluetooth speakers, each named after iconic party cities: Las Vegas, Miami, and New York.

These speakers aren't just about booming sound; they're a blend of Klipsch's legendary horn-loaded technology and modern party features. Developed under the guidance of Roy Delgado, a protégé of founder Paul W. Klipsch, they're designed to bring the energy of a live concert to any gathering.

Delgado mentioned, "It all started with a party... Paul was a DJ when he first used his legendary Klipschorn at a victory dance in Hope, Arkansas, celebrating the end of World War II." That spirit of celebration is evident in every aspect of these new models.

**Technical Highlights:**

- **Klipsch Vegas**
  - **Drivers:** Horn-loaded compression tweeter with a 5.25" woofer.
  - **Battery Life:** Up to 8 hours without lights, 6 hours with lights.
  - **Max Output:** 95dB.
  - **Frequency Response:** 45Hz-20kHz ±6dB.
  - **Features:** Built-in pole mount, microphone for karaoke, IPX4 splash-proof rating.
  - **Dimensions:** 30.7 x 41.7 x 30 cm.
  - **Weight:** 6.26 kg.
  
- **Klipsch Miami**
  - **Drivers:** Horn-loaded compression tweeter, dual 5.25" woofers, custom front ports.
  - **Battery Life:** Up to 18 hours without lights, 10 hours with lights.
  - **Max Output:** 105dB.
  - **Frequency Response:** 40Hz-20kHz ±6dB.
  - **Features:** Pole mount, trolley wheels, retractable handle, microphone, IPX4 rating.
  - **Dimensions:** 32.3 x 66.5 x 34.3 cm.
  - **Weight:** 18.5 kg.

- **Klipsch New York**
  - **Drivers:** Horn-loaded compression tweeter, professional-grade dual 8" woofers, dual custom front ports.
  - **Battery Life:** Up to 12 hours without lights, 9 hours with lights.
  - **Max Output:** 110dB.
  - **Frequency Response:** 35Hz-20kHz ±6dB.
  - **Features:** Trolley wheels, microphone, IPX4 rating.
  - **Dimensions:** 39.6 x 80.77 x 39.6 cm.
  - **Weight:** 25.63 kg.

All three models come loaded with features to elevate any party:

- **Karaoke Ready:** Each speaker includes a microphone, perfect for sing-alongs.
- **Party Sound Effects:** Buttons for airhorn, record-scratch, and applause sounds to hype up the crowd.
- **Dynamic Lighting:** RGB lights with six preset modes that sync to your music, customizable via the Klipsch Connect Plus app (available on iOS and Android).
- **Durable Design:** With an IPX4 splash-proof rating, they're safe to use by the pool or at the beach.
- **Connectivity:** Bluetooth 5.2 for seamless streaming, plus 3.5mm aux and ¼" instrument inputs for jam sessions.
- **Party Link Technology:** Connect multiple Music City Party speakers to amplify the sound across larger spaces.
- **Device Charging:** A USB-A port to keep your gadgets charged while you party.

The built-in rechargeable batteries ensure the music doesn't stop mid-celebration, offering impressive playtimes even with the light shows activated.

These new additions are available for pre-order starting January 7, 2025, through Klipsch.com and authorized retailers:

- **Klipsch Vegas:** $299
- **Klipsch Miami:** $549
- **Klipsch New York:** $699

It's exciting to see Klipsch blending their rich audio heritage with modern features that cater to today's party enthusiasts. Whether you're hosting a backyard bash or a beachside get-together, these speakers are designed to keep the good times rolling.

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Discover Klipsch's New Party-Ready Speakers

Klipsch unveils the Vegas, Miami, and New York portable speakers at CES 2025 with legendary sound features and dynamic lighting.

Audio-Technica just dropped the ATH-CKS50TW2, and as someone who's been keeping tabs on their gear, this upgrade has got me pretty stoked. Building on the ATH-CKS50TW from a few years back, they've managed to pack in some nifty features without messing with the stuff we loved.

First off, the battery life is still beastly. They're claiming up to 65 hours total playback—25 hours from the earbuds themselves and an extra 40 hours from the case. Even with ANC turned on, you're looking at 15 hours in the buds and 25 hours from the case. And if you're in a hurry, a quick 5-minute charge gives you about 90 minutes of listening time.

One of the standout additions is the new Magnetic Switch technology. The earbuds have built-in magnets, so when you snap them together, they turn off to save power. It's super handy if you're not keen on carrying the case around all the time.

They've stuck with proprietary 9mm drivers, which promise clear, full-range audio with some serious bass kick. The hybrid noise-cancelling tech uses both feedforward and feedback methods to nix background noise, and the hear-through and talk-through modes let you stay aware of your surroundings when needed.

Comfort-wise, the hybrid ear tips mix hard and soft silicone for a snug fit that minimizes sound leakage. Plus, the buds are IP55-rated for water and dust resistance, so they can handle a bit of sweat or rain without any drama.

The AT Connect app enhances the user experience with features like low-latency mode for smoother streaming and gaming, customizable EQ settings, and easy device tracking. Multipoint pairing is a nice touch, letting you connect to two devices at once, and Qi wireless charging keeps things convenient. The Soundscape mode is pretty unique, offering nature sounds for relaxation or focus, which could be a game-changer for some.

On the call front, dual high-performance MEMS mics and beamforming tech aim to deliver crystal-clear voice quality, even in noisy environments. And for those who rely on voice assistants, the buds play nice with Siri and Google Assistant.

With three color options to choose from, the ATH-CKS50TW2 seems to strike a solid balance between performance and practicality. If you're in the market for new wireless earbuds that don't skimp on features or battery life, these might be worth checking out.

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Features Packed Audio Technica ATH CKS50TW2 Wireless Earbuds

Audio Technica ATH CKS50TW2 Wireless Earbuds: 65-Hour Battery Life, Hybrid Noise Cancelling, and Customizable EQ

Andy Bell to Release Solo Album 'Ten Crowns' on May 2, 2025

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