Image source, Rio Romaine

It's not just Frank Ocean that's kept his fans waiting... it was the tail end of last year when Craig David's comeback started gathering momentum and he dropped what's now become almost as much of a classic as 7 Days - When the Bassline Drops, external.

Now, finally, Craig has announced his first album since 2010, Following My Intuition. It will be out 30 September - with a new single Ain’t Giving Up (featuring Sigala) out RIGHT NOW... 

Warning: third party content, may contain ads.

Craig's playing V Festival this weekend and you can listen in to Clara Amfo's Radio 1 show from any time now to hear more from the man himself.   

Mark Savage
Music reporter

Image source, AP

It's been called "Beyoncé-ing" - suddenly dropping an album on a digital service, with little or no fanfare.

This year alone, Rihanna, Kanye West and Radiohead have all done it. Beyonce, of course, had to go one better - bundling her album together with an Emmy-nominated HBO special.

Why do artists prefer to do it this way? Two reasons: First, it reduces the risk of an album leaking, as it cuts out CD pressing plants, distributors, publicists and journalists - all of whom have been the source of leaks in the past.

Secondly it virtually guarantees publicity, without the artist having to consent to interviews or tedious promotional tours. Even better, if the album isn't up to scratch, you get acres of press coverage before the critics pounce.

But what does this mean for people outside the music industry bubble? How confusing must Frank Ocean's album release seem to the person who buys two CDs a year at Asda? Do they even know it exists? And, if they do, how do they listen to it?

The music industry is increasingly enamoured with these surprise releases but it would never happen for a blockbuster movie. For the latest Harry Potter book, Waterstones ran a huge advance publicity campaign, along with a release date and price. That is almost unthinkable in music now. 

Unless you're Adele.

Image source, Metallica

Metallica are back, riffing like there's no tomorrow (Editor's note: there probably is a tomorrow, according to the latest available data).

The band have just announced their 11th studio album, Hardwired... To Self-Destruct, will be out in November. Lead single Hardwired premiered last night on US radio. You can stream it on YouTube, external but be warned: The language isn't suitable for a family audience.

According to a press release, the album will be spread over two discs, containing 80 minutes of music. A deluxe edition will come with bonus tracks containing "the riffs that were the origins of the album".

Reaction to the comeback single - their first new material in eight years - has been pretty ecstatic.

Pop star Anastacia has been announced as the tenth contestant on this year's Strictly Come Dancing.

Hailing from Illinois, she shot to fame in 2000 after her debut song I’m Outta Love became a worldwide hit. She has since sold more than 30 million records. 

The 47-year-old said “the seed was planted” when she sang on Strictly last year. 

“I was just a little bit starstruck and they didn’t realise that I was a fan of the show,” she explained to Chris Evans on his Radio 2Breakfast Show.

When she was asked if she wanted to appear on Strictly as a contestant, she replied: “I stink – do you really want me on the show?”

"I'm not a dancer," she says, but "I am looking forward to Salsa, I think I have a 28-year-old Latina trapped inside my body.”

Image source, Frank Ocean

It's more than a year since Frank Ocean said his second album, Boys Don't Cry, was finished. And about 10 months since fans were first disappointed by a release date coming and going without a peep.

But the record is finally here... 

Endless, an 18-track visual album, has just been unveiled as an Apple Music exclusive. It's a hazy, trippy record that contains a beautiful Isley Brothers cover, and a pounding electro track that rages against our always-on, celebrity-obsessed culture. 

Musicians including James Blake, Sampha and Jonny Greenwood all make cameos; and the record is accompanied by a video of Frank earnestly building a staircase.

But that's not all... According to Apple Music there is "more to come" this weekend. Rolling Stone even reports, external that Endless is simply a placeholder, with a "proper" album due in the next 48 hours.

Honestly, you wait ages for one Frank Ocean album and then two come at once.

We have a whole heap of new releases to share with you today, from the return of Michael Buble to Ellie Goulding's Bridget Jones track and the first solo effort from Mollie King of The Saturdays. 

Plus we'll bring you the latest musical Strictly signing and everything you need to know about Frank Ocean's new album. 

Don't forget to catch up on yesterday's page for news of Kanye West turning global shopkeeper and updates on Gorillaz, Kaiser Chiefs, Adele and Paul McCartney. 

Let's get cracking...