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Daniel Merriweather

`Love & War'

(SonyBMG)

Australian singer Daniel Merriweather first became known when he was featured in Mark Ronson's hit song ``Stop Me.'' Now, he has finally released his debut album, ``Love & War,'' produced by Ronson, who was also responsible for Amy Winehouse's acclaimed ``Back to Black.''

With his husky voice, Merriweather croons his way to listeners' hearts with R&B and new soul tunes like ``Impossible,'' ``Red,'' and ``Could You.'' ``Change'' gets a bit of a hip-hop flavor courtesy of rapper Wale, while ``Water and a Flame,'' his duet with soul diva Adele, is another standout track. Judging from this album, Merriweather has a bright future ahead in music.

_Cathy Rose A. Garcia

The Veronicas

`Hook Me Up'

(Warner Korea)

The Veronicas are one of the most popular acts in Australia right now. Composed of twin sisters Jessica and Lisa Origliasso, the Veronicas originally released their second album, ``Hook Me Up,'' in Australia in November 2007, but it is only now being released in Korea.

The Veronicas were originally known for their pop-punk sound, but their second album offers more electronic-pop-influenced dance tracks like ``This Love'' and ``Untouched.'' Fun and upbeat, the single ``Hook Me Up'' became the girls' first No. 1 hit in Australia.

_ Cathy Rose A. Garcia

Kate Royal

‘Midsummer Night’

EMI CLASSICS

Spotlighted by Gramophone magazine as a soprano to watch out for, Kate Royal brings an

atmosphere album of operatic arias. The English National Opera Orchestra, conducted by Edward Gardner, accompanies the beautiful British artist.

The 13 featured tracks thematically represent different femme characters in 20thcentury

operas, ranging from popular pieces to rarely heard ones, including Dvorak’s “Song to the Moon” from “Rusalka” and “Vilja” from Lehar’s “The Merry Widow.”

Royal is a natural singer, with a seamless, lyric vocal range and elegant musicality. She impressed local fans last fall when she performed opposite the Maestro Chung Myun-whun-led Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra.

-LEE HYO-WON