Australian platinum-selling hip-hop artist Illy premiered his new single Catch 22 (feat. Anne-Marie) on triple j this week and announced that his 5th studio album Two Degrees, will be released on Friday 11 November.

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Produced by Grammy winning producer M-Phazes (Eminem, Kimbra, Meg Mac), the album also features the double platinum single Papercuts (feat. Vera Blue) and triple j fave Swear Jar. Two Degrees is available for pre order now, with Catch 22, available instantly when purchased digitally.

To coincide with the release of Two Degrees, Illy will be performing at a handful of intimate album launch shows in Brisbane, Sydney & Melbourne, previewing the album on the live stage for the first time. All shows are very limited capacity, so fans will need to get in quick! Tickets go on sale Wednesday 12 October at 9am (local time) from www.illyal.com (.)

Last week it was announced Illy had been nominated for a total of 6 ARIA Awards including Best Male Artist for hit single Papercuts. After the release of Papercuts in July, which peaked at #2 on the ARIA singles chart, and over 8.8 million streams, Illy has become one of the highest streaming Australian artists in this territory, with 1 million monthly listeners, racking up over 20 million worldwide streams.

Now new single Catch 22 featuring British singer Anne-Marie is set to follow in the footsteps of Papercuts. With Illy's trademark lyrical sense of wit and catchy harmonies, it will fast become a live favourite.

"Sometimes life isn't about always making the 'right' choices. Some of the best times are when you do the opposite. Catch 22 is about knowing that" - Illy says of the track.

Illy's career took off with the 2009 debut LP Long Story Short and this coming November after the release of Two Degrees, 2016 will see his career 5 albums deep, with 7 consecutive triple j Hottest 100 entries, two platinum singles, multiple gold records and an ARIA award. During all this he also found time to start his own record label, ONETWO, on which his most previous album, Cinematic, and the forthcoming album Two Degrees will be released. Of Two Degrees, Illy says:

"President Obama was asked whether he viewed his presidency as a success, having faced such fierce opposition throughout his two terms. His answer likened society to a ship, where you can't steer 50 degrees at once, but if you move two degrees, then another two degrees, and continue like this, years later you end up in a very different place from where you began. And as long as you're steering in the right direction, and progressing, your impact is made over time. This album is a celebration of moving forward, two degrees at a time. I hope you enjoy it"

Two Degrees track list:

• Forget It
• If Looks Could Kill
• Hazard To Myself (feat. Sir The Baptist)
• Oh My (feat. Jenna McDougall)
• Swear Jar
• Papercuts (feat. Vera Blue)
• Lightshow
• Two Degrees
• Catch 22 (feat. Anne-Marie)
• Extra Extra (feat. Mike Waters)
• You Say When (feat. Marko Penn)
• Truce
• Highway

After years of touring extensively throughout regional and metro Australia, Illy has honed a solid live show reputation with numerous headline tours, and appearances at major festivals including Splendour in the Grass, Groovin The Moo, Festival of the Sun and a standout performance at triple j's One Night Stand in 2014. Fans can catch Illy at his Two Degrees album release launch shows in November, tickets on sale 9am Wednesday 12 October.

ALBUM RELEASE LAUNCH DATES

Tuesday 15 November - Woolly Mammoth, Brisbane, QLD

Wednesday 16 November - Oxford Art Factory, Sydney, NSW

Thursday 17 November - Howler, Melbourne, VIC

Tickets on sale 9am Wednesday 12 October from www.illyal.com