Tabloid reports claim Amy Winehouse's new songs were deemed too dark by her record label. Photo / AP
Oh dear. There could be trouble brewing for beleaguered soul chanteuse
Amy Winehouse
. Again.
The singer has reportedly been ordered to re-record her long-delayed third album after her label bosses were left unimpressed with her efforts.
Winehouse, who says she's been working on and off on material for her follow-up to 2006 smash
Back to Black
, was expected to release the new material later this year - but it's claimed that bosses are not happy with what she's come up with.
Insiders say most of the tracks were penned during her whirlwind visit to the Caribbean earlier this year. Wino, when she wasn't too busy gasbagging with hotel guests and
, used her time in St Lucia productively and wrote some songs.
British newspaper
that Winehouse's new music is heavily influenced by reggae, and claims her label felt the demo tracks show too great a shift from her signature sound. And there's another problem: most of the songs are said to be about her estranged and formerly incarcerated hubby,
Blake Fielder-Civil
*collective roll of eyes*
Change the record
To be fair, the inspiration for her new material probably left a lot to be desired: a near-death experience after an alleged drug overdose, repeated arrests, and her emancipation from that fine figure of a man she now claims to finally be getting over: Blaaaaaaaake!
A snitch tells the newspaper: "Amy was very productive during her stay in St Lucia. She wrote a hell of a lot of songs, but the majority of them just aren't hitting the mark.
"She seems to have ditched her trademark vintage soul sound and is now heavily influenced by reggae.
"Her bosses don't think it's a wise move to change her style so sharply and have told her that.
"It's crucial Amy's return is handled properly. If she puts out a record that is in any way half-baked, that could severely damage her long-term prospects, so everyone's focus at the minute is getting it right, even if that means telling Amy some things she probably won't want to hear."
So it's back to the drawing board for Wino. Time to get back on your horse, slide back in the saddle and pen some stomping tunes again, babe.
Remember, you're only as good as your last record - which admittedly sold over 11million copies worldwide - but you're rapidly becoming better known for your car crash of a personal life, and not your undeniable musical talent. No pressure...
When Amy fell asleep...
Ooh, then there's this ripe gem about Wino and a recent close encounter with a sunbed.
Winehouse was left a little red faced after she fell asleep on her sunbed, apparently - and badly burned her eyelids.
The singer, who recently installed her own tanning marvel in her north London pad, was reportedly forced to call a doctor after the embarrassing incident.
A snitch told the
Daily Mirror
newspaper, "Amy has recently had a sunbed installed in her new house and was keen to try it out.
"She's developed quite a solid base color from her two- month holiday in St Lucia so assumed she'd be fine.
"Sadly, she'd had a bit of a heavy night the evening before and was a little too relaxed by the time she clambered into the bed - and promptly fell asleep.
"Luckily, the bed has an automatic timer which goes off after 20 minutes - otherwise the results could have been really horrific. As it was, she emerged badly burnt, with her eyes particularly affected.
"Within an hour, her eyelids were red raw and puffy, and she was feeling in real pain.
"She wanted to call the doctor but was a little embarrassed.
"Poor Amy is mortified. Not to mention sore. All in all, it wasn't a great weekend."
We're saying nothing.
Counting down the sleeps...
We'd be lying if we told you we weren't just a little bit excited about the imminent arrival of Welsh songbird
Duffy
in Auckland next week. The truth? We're bouncing off the walls.
See, gorgeous Duffy and your favourite blogger share a special connection - stay with us on this one, we can see your cynical eyes rolling. Tsk.
The rising star hails from a north Wales
coastal community called Nefyn
. Yes, our home turf. None of you will have every heard of this blip on the Welsh horizon, but that's not the point. The point is, she's one of ours and we can't help but patriotically embrace her. Up the Duffy!
Welai di wythnos nesa gobeithio, rhen hogan.
Video: Duffy - Rain On Your Parade
BBB
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She wanted to keep things under wraps, but got very excited.