The Daily Swarm

Times UK:

Madonna, the singer who famously refused to make her music available on iTunes, will become the first artist to release an album via mobile phone prior to its release in store.

The material girl, who is also fighting rumours that her marriage to Guy Ritchie is under threat, has announced plans to allow Vodafone customers in Europe to download her new album to their phones a week before its launch on April 28.

One song a day from Hard Candy – her 22nd album – will be made available to customers for download in the week prior to release at 99p each. The first single from the album, 4 Minutes, is already available for 75p.

The decision follows a similar move by the R&B producer Timbaland in the US last month, and marks a sharp departure from Madonna’s approach to digital music services several years ago, when she was one of several high profile acts to resist making their music available on iTunes for fear that the site would bring about ‘the death of the album’.

Nokia [11/19/2007]:

The most anticipated album of the year – ‘X’ by Kylie – will be exclusively available to download from the newly launched Nokia Music Store on 21st November. The release marks the first time ever a Kylie album will be available digitally prior to general release*.

Fans of the iconic pop songstress, who has clocked up an incredible 43 hit singles in a career spanning three decades, will be able to get their hands on her tenth studio album first at http://music.nokia.co.uk priced at £8. The new album follows hot on the heels of the hit single ‘2 Hearts’ that has been available to download through the Nokia Music Store since the 5th November.