Reasons to be cheerful

1) The shouty one out of Mis-Teeq, Alesha Dixon, has enlisted the help of Girls Aloud hitmakers Xenomania and pop genius Richard X for her debut solo album, says the Observer Music Monthly. It will therefore be nothing less than pure pop gold. You can hear a little bit of the magic on Alesha's inevitable Myspace site.

2) Beyoncé is back with a new album called, ridiculously, B'day. The lead single, Déjà Vu, has leaked and is definitely better than anything on the last Destiny's Child album, although its becoming increasingly clear she'll never top Crazy In Love. Get jiggy by going to Spine and scrolling down til you find a link to the MP3.

3) I've just about managed to stop laughing at the name of Nintendo's new games console (actually, that's not true - the schoolboy in me will never be able to say Wii without immediately also saying poo, bum and willy). Anyway, the games still look pretty interesting - and unofficial Wiiblog Get Wiid has compiled a list of all the unique ways the console's motion-sensitive controller will be employed. Better start working on those upper arm muscles now.

4) Think you have lots of records? Think again. Roots drummer ?uestlove has considerably more records than you - Youtube has the evidence.

5) Prince, who was 48(!!!!) last week, is playing concerts again. Stereogum has a review and setlist from one of his 4-hour(!!!!!!!) gigs last weekend. Please, please, please, please come back to the UK, Mr Purple. Last time you played here I got engaged - god only knows what'll happen next time around (!!!!!!1111!!! - boink).

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