Gerard Way reveals new MCR LP details

Gerard Way has claimed that My Chemical Romance's upcoming album will feature the "greatest song" that the band has ever written.

The singer and lyricist discussed the progress of the follow-up to 2006's The Black Parade during an appearance at Comic-Con to promote his latest comic books.

Speaking to Rolling Stone, he said: "The songs are all wildly different, but the one I'm really excited about is called 'Death Before Disco'.

"It's a completely different sound for the band - it's like an anti-party song that you can party to. I can't wait for people to hear it.

"It brings back, lyrically, some of that wonderful fiction from the first album. I think we wrote our 'Born to Run', and I'm so amped about that. To me, it's the greatest song we've ever written - it's my favourite MCR song."

Way added that the group are "right in the middle" of producing the as-yet-untitled record, which is expected to be released later this year or early 2010.

Rihanna earned £10 million in one year

Rihanna earned an estimated £10 million last year, it has been claimed.

The 'Umbrella' singer is expected to become one of the world's richest popstars following the success of her third album Good Girl Gone Bad and a number of high profile endorsements.

According to Forbes magazine, the 21-year-old profited from a re-release of the LP, which spawned an impressive seven singles, as well as a world tour and contract with fashion giant Gucci.

The Bajan singer has reportedly enlisted Justin Timberlake, Kanye West and Jay-Z to work on her new album, scheduled for release next year.

Placebo release ‘The Never-Ending Why’

Lifted from their now critically-acclaimed, top five (in twenty countries!) album 'Battle For The Sun’, Placebo are pleased to announce the release of their new single 'The Never-Ending Why’ on the 7th of September.

High energy and utterly infectious, 'The Never-Ending Why’ harks back to classic Placebo, kicking into life with a dense barrage of noise and building into a chorus that clamps itself onto your brain and refuses to let go. The single will be available on 7' vinyl with an exclusive b-side and as a download bundle that will feature the 7' tracks plus a remix.

Placebo have been highly active on the live circuit this year with 25 European festival appearances this summer alone (including a return to the mainstage at the Reading/Leeds festivals this August), followed by a huge arena tour booked for this December that includes a headline appearance at The O2 Arena in London on December 9th.

The December dates are as follows:

Tuesday 08th Birmingham LG Arena
Wednesday 09th London The O2
Friday 11th Bridlington Spa
Saturday 12 Manchester Central
Monday 14th Glasgow SECC
Tuesday 15th Dublin Olympia Theatre
Wednesday 16th Dublin Olympia Theatre

Whitney Houston album is pushed forward

WHITNEY HOUSTON is set to release her new album earlier than expected.

The highly-anticipated I Look To You was due to go on sale on September 1.

But because of "continuous excitement" stemming from listening parties, it'll be available a day earlier on August 31.

Houston recently admitted that she was inspired by her personal ups and downs in the seven years when writing the album.

Shakira is desperate for a baby

Shakira is desperate to "reproduce".

The 'Beautiful Liar' singer is certain her fiance Antonio de la Rua – the son of Argentina's former president Fernando de La Rua - is the "right person" to start a family with, and is planning to start trying for a baby as soon as possible.

The 32-year-old star said: "I constantly think about raising a family. I want to reproduce so bad! Antonio and I have been together for nine years and function as a married couple even though we're not married.

"I don't think you find the right person in your life more than once. I don't even think about how famous he is. We look at each other as a man and a woman and that's it. We try to live a normal life and I keep my family close to me so I still feel like a real person."

Shakira also reflected on 'Beautiful Liar' - her "thrilling" 2007 collaboration with Beyonce Knowles.

She added to Britain’s Look magazine: "It was fantastic to work with her. She's an amazing performer and very sweet. The song was her idea and I was so thrilled. She's a very determined and focused woman and that's something to admire."

Jay-Z to write about marriage to Beyonce

Jay-Z is planning to tell all about his marriage in a new book.

The ’99 Problems’ rapper is set to pen an autobiography in which he will open up about his life with wife Beyonce Knowles, despite the pair making a pact to not speak about their relationship publicly.

A source said: 'It’s going to cover everything from his days on the streets as a drug dealer to his fairytale wedding to Beyonce.

'He’ll also be revealing his rapping secrets.'

A spokesperson for the star confirmed plans for the tome, which as yet has no title or release date.

Its release is expected to tie in with his next album, 'The Blueprint 3’, which is due to come out in September.

The hip-hop star – real name Shawn Carter – previously scrapped plans for an autobiography, saying it would be too personal to write.

Beyonce – who married 39-year-old Jay-Z in secret last April after dating him for around six years – has often credited the pair’s refusal to discuss their relationship as the key to its longevity.

She said: 'I think I have a successful, long-lasting relationship, longer than most people’s in the industry, so I must be doing something right.

'It’s important for people to know that there’s a line you can’t cross in this. It’s real. It’s not like some fairytale that people watch for entertainment – it’s real life and it’s important to keep it to yourself.

'We worked really hard at keeping our wedding private. I've always been this way, and he's always been this way, so that's why we complement each other. We always knew that it would be private and quiet, for all the right reasons."