Music - The Singles Collection

IndieLondon gleefully checks out the cream of the week's singles. All you have to do is click on the pictures to order them...

MONDAY, APRIL 26

SINGLE OF THE WEEK - ATMOSPHERE - TRYING TO FIND A BALANCE: Hurrah, the hip-hop scene continues to impress with this lively record from another of the hot new acts emerging from the Big Apple at the moment. Hot off the back of the new Dilated Peoples and Outkast’s return to prominence, Trying To Find a Balance is a cheeky, frank but effortlessly hip record, that marks a return to the sort of joyful old-school hip-hop of old (a la De La Soul). It hooks you from the first moment you hear it, and provides an excellent insight into what to expect from the NY outfit, who have already made a big impression with Radio One DJ, Zane Lowe.

THE STILLS - CHANGES ARE NO GOOD: Montreal-based The Stills should do their emerging reputation no harm at all with this addictive slice of indie rock which marks the third track to emerge from their excellent album, Logic Will Break Your Heart. Instantly catchy, much in the same way that Lola, Stars and Shapes was, this also possesses a neat little 80s-based retro-vibe, which marks it out as one of the album's highlights. The chiming guitars are, once again, a defining feature of the band's sound, which possess a slightly grittier edge this time around, while Tim Fletcher's aching vocals keep things laid back and light. Though not quite as strong as the Lola track which followd it, this is still among the best indie anthems of the moment and is a genuine must-buy for anyone not yet acquainted with this band. Click here for a review of the album, or here for an exclusive IndieLondon interview with The Stills.

THE GLITTERATI - HERE COMES THE UP EP: The sleaze/rock movement is enjoying a purple-patch at the moment, aided, no doubt, by the high publicity surrounding the likes of Courtney Love and The Darkness at the moment. I have to confess, I'm not its biggest fan, given the scuzzed up guitar excesses and the screaming, glam-rock vocals. That said, The Glitterati possess a little more grit than glam, and their rock genuinely rocks. The sleaze is best epitomised by the single cover, featuring a semi-naked woman, and this should tell you what to expect from the outset, given the artwork. It's fast, furious, and even occasionally addictive. Here Comes A Close Up is an in-yer-face rock anthem, which delivers a wailing vocals overload, while Gimme What's Yours is as forthright and aggressive as its title suggests. These Leeds boys drip attitude and fighting spirit, while their influences (Guns 'n' Roses etc), should ensure that they follow hot on the heels of The Darkness in achieving mainstream chart success.

STREETS - FIT BUT YOU KNOW IT: The self-obsessed, and hopelessly over-rated social commentator, Mike Skinner, returns with another calamity of a single which, for some unknown reason, is being hailed as another work of genius by the music press. Inspired by a trip to Ibiza, this tells the supposedly cheeky tale of a character that's too self-absorbed to pull an equally self-absorbed babe (in a burger bar), following a night on the town. The guitars and beats are back, without much progression, while Skinner's mouthy vocal style quickly becomes irritating and mind-numbing. He's hailed as being 'the pioneer of the underground-urban-punk-garage movement' - we just wish he would stay underground.. Nauseating. Click here for a feature on the new material...

HAL - WORRY ABOUT THE WIND: Dublin-quartet, Hal, release their debut single through the hip, indie label, Rough Trade, and come with some heady credentials. The track is being billed as a country-tinged slice of harmony pop, which boasts production values from Blur's Stephen Street, and which provokes inevitable comparisons with the likes of Neil Young and The Thrills (particularly in bonus track, Out Tonight, which contains the same sort of chirpy, Californian rooted Sixties melodies). The vocals also possess an innocence and free-spirit associated with that era, making this another act to watch from the Emerald Isle. Whether their initial appeal will outstay its welcome (much as The Thrills has) remains to be seen, but certainly they don't seem to have mustered as much media attention - yet. Hal, though, is certainly a band to watch...

TY - OH YOU WANT MORE?: A hip-hop/bhangra crossover from Ty, which comes complete with guest vocals from label-mate, Roots Manuva, this is a superior slice of underground music from the Brixton rapper, which could yet mark his transition to the mainstream. The single's refix is probably funkier than the radio edit, but it's still a good effort, which also contains nods to the r'n'b movement, as well as more of the London-based humour that was to be found on the artist's debut album, Awkward. Oh You Want More is taken from his follow-up, Upwards, which seems to mark the musical direction this particular urban artist is heading in. It comes as no surprise to find him residing on the Big Dada label. Click here to order the album...

MONDAY, APRIL 19

SINGLE OF THE WEEK - PHOENIX - RUN, RUN, RUN: French pop-rockers, Phoenix, look set to break into the mainstream with this effortlessly catchy track from their second album, Alphabetical. Already being lauded by Radio 1’s Zane Lowe, as well as Xfm’s Christian O’Connell as the next big thing to emerge from France, in the wake of Air, this bears similarities, but also contains a harder, more indie-based edge. The construction is simply, the chorus oh-so catchy, but its the dream-like nature of much of the music which makes the track as addictive as it is. Excellent stuff. Click here for a review of the album...

FRANZ FERDINAND - MATINEE: Edgy guitar-based rockers, Franz Ferdinand, look set to further the reputation they have built for themselves off the back of the single, Take Me Out, and the critically-acclaimed debut album, by releasing this typically powerful track from the long-player. It may even be a little more accessible to the mainstream than its predecessor, sounding less Strokes-orientated and more signature, than that sprawling (but excellent) effort. Matinee is the sound of an emerging band clearly enjoying itself. Click here for a review of the album...

BREED 77 - THE RIVER: Britain's newest rock stars deliver the first track to emerge from their debut album, Cultura, in the form of this slow-building, ultra-brooding mood-piece, that evokes memories of both Pearl Jam and Nickelback. The River is not a bad track, but it doesn't really portray the band in its truest colours, given that the album tip-toes the line between metal and the ear-drum splitting, stadium rock of powerhouse bands at their loudest. Ironically, it does mark Breed 77 at their finest, keeping things in check and sounding a lot more mature and accomplished for it. The River is one of those rock power-ballads that resonates with heartbroken angst and male frustration, and, to be fair, it doesn't do a bad job of attempting to sound like the bands it has clearly been inspired by. It's just that the over-familiarity brings with it a feeling of deja vu. Nevertheless, Breed 77 is clearly a Brit band to watch. Click here for the album...

SIA FURLER - BREATHE ME: The alluring tones of Sia Furler return, in solo form, for this welcome reminder of her latest album, Colour The Small One. Breathe Me is a slow-building, moody, yet quite beautiful ballad, which feature the artist's husky vocals at their most yearning, with lyrics such as 'be my friend' and 'help me up'. Occasioanlly, the vocal style conjures memories of Chrissie Hynde, but this is a deeply dreamy record, featuring some gentle piano, some nicely-building drums and, late on, some sweeping strings, which provide it with something of an epic finale. It's among the better tracks on what is a very good album, although anyone expecting a repeat of the Zero 7 formula (for which she is most famous) had best be advised that this is slower, and far more moody. It does, however, deserve to be a massive success in its own right, as its far more gutsier than anything Dido or singers of her ilk are putting out. Click here for a review of the album, here for a special feature on Sia's solo material, or here to watch the new video of the single.

THE BEES - WASH IN THE RAIN: A welcome return for The Bees (of A Minha Menina fame), Wash In The Rain begins like a happy-go-lucky indie anthem, infused with a sixties shuffle that keeps things hopelessly melodic, the track then slips into slightly harder territory, reminiscent of the scuzzed up guitars of The Stranglers, before returning back to the start again. The result is a wonderfully vibrant record that should serve the band well, as they bid to get over the disappointment of their cruelly overlooked debut album, Sunshine Hit Me, in 2002 (which was Mercury Music nominated). This one precedes the album, Free The Bees, which is due out in the Summer. Click here or here for the previous, overlooked album...

AIR - SURFING ON A ROCKET: Another slice of inter-galactic, leftfield, other-worldly pop from French hipsters, Air, which marks a continuation of the form approaching the Sexy Boy anthem of their early days. Taken from the acclaimed album, Talkie Walkie, this is as tripped out and deliciously seductive as we have come to expect, boasting a terrific set of vocals, and some hypnotic beats - not to mention the delirious image of being able to 'surf on a rocket'. Hot off the back of Cherry Blossom Girl and Alone in Kyoto (made prominent by the Lost in Translation soundtrack), this is a compelling reason to buy the album, if you haven't done so already. In single form, however, it remains no less essential, given that it comes with well-chosen remixes from Joakim, Juan Mclean and Zongamin. Click here for a review of the album...

CALEXICO - BLACK HEART EP: Music doesn't come much more atmospheric than these supremely brooding EP from Calexico, which boasts a number of exclusive B-sides and remixes from the likes of Gotan Project and Jazzanova, not to mention an enhanced portion featuring a live performance of Black Heart filmed at The Barbican, in London, during the Further Beyond Nashville Festival, in November 2002. The Observer wrote that 'mystery and majesty pour off Calexico’s songs like black gold' and it's easy to see why. In original form, this is a dark, mesmerising number, packed with haunting strings and muffled drum shuffles, while the Jazzanova White Soul dub makes things even moodier, if possible, making this a brilliant companion piece to the album, Feast of Wire. Joey Burns' tortured, measures vocals are another stand-out feature, as are the various instruments, with the aforementioned strings being offset well by the menacing electronic influence. Of the other tracks, the GoTan Project remix of Quattro is an absolute gem, featuring a heady mix of accordion, organ, mandolin, melodica and synths, not to mention a terrific beat, while the funked up, Hispanic-flavoured Guero Canelo aptly demonstrates the musical diversity of this inspiring Tucson, Arizona-based outfit. One of the week's undisputed essential purchases. Click here for the album

IAIN ARCHER - BOY, BOY, BOY: Here's another emerging act to watch. Iain Archer is both a terrific singer-songwriter and guitarist in his own right, having already contributed guitar lines (and writing assistance) to Snow Patrol's recent hit, Run. Archer is a long-time friend of the band and is supporting Snow Patrol on their forthcoming Irish dates. Needless to say, there are similarities between Boy, Boy, Boy and material contained on the Snow Patrol album, but there is also a more intimate feel to proceedings, as a result of the solo guitar work, and less expansive feel to the record. As an introduction to what to expect from the forthcoming album, Flood The Tanks, it is very good - and fans of material from the likes of Turin Brakes and David Kitt, in particular, would do well to take notice of it.

MONDAY, APRIL 12

SNOW PATROL - CHOCOLATE: Fresh from their success with the ultra-brooding anthem, Run, Scotland’s Snow Patrol brighten things up a little, with the distinctly feel-good track, Chocolate. Boasting a drum line straight out of The Doves’ Pounding, but with more upbeat, chiming guitar work, the track works like a breath of fresh air, and seems destined to further the appeal of the band, who look set to make 2004 their biggest yet. Mainstream indie at its absolute best. Click here for the album...

D12 - MY BAND: D12 display a nice line in self-deprecating humour for this welcome return from hip-hop's musical equivalent of the Harlem Globetrotters. It's actually been six years since the altogether tougher Fight Music, but the wait has been worth it, as Eminem produces, and all six members sing - finding the comedy in all of their egoes, and emerging quite likeable as a result. The hilarious video continues the theme of the record, which takes on the story of a band who are overshadowed by their frontman, and it features the most costume changes ever seen in one music video. Excellent stuff, from an outfit more usually prone to getting serious and delivering attitude-laden rebuffs to anyone who gets in their way. Click here for the album, or here for a special D12 mini-site, or here to listen to the track in our AV Room.

WOLFMAN & PETER DOHERTY - THIS IS FOR LOVERS: Libertines frontman, Pete Docherty, can do no wrong at the moment, it seems. Whether being hailed as the frontman for one of Britain’s most exciting bands, or branching out into solo territory, the accolades appear to be rolling in. Xfm has made this love ballad its record of the week on several high-profile shows, while Radio One’s Zane Lowe is similarly gushing in his praise for it. The track certainly possesses all the hallmarks of a romantic classic, beginning with the heartfelt line, ‘I’m running away with you’, in Docherty’s aching style, before delivering a poignant ballad which really ought to provide him with a massive hit. The only trouble is, there is a risk that, in their euphoria to heap praise upon it, Djs just might end up overplaying it (which they have). But, as its name suggests, this won't stop the romantics, as This Is For Lovers.

BETA BAND - ASSESSMENT: The Beta Band return to more familiar psychedelic territory with this gutsy and more fiery rock anthem, which is the first single to emerge from their acclaimed Heroes to Zeroes long-player. It bears all the hallmarks of classic Beta Band, as well as sounding refreshingly loud, helping it to sit comfortably alongside some of the more high-profile indie/psychedelia-laced acts of the moment. Fans will lap it up, while those who hadn't been paying attention before, now just might! Click here to order the album...

ENGINEERS - HOME: A new four-piece outfit from London, Engineers are being billed by many as the latest act to challenge the likes of Elbow and Mercury Rev in terms of soaring vocals, laidback guitars and melodies, and 'skyscraping indie rock' melodies. Home is a daydream of a record, guaranteed to chill you out, with its deft mix of soothing vocals, and chiming/sweeping guitars, which collide to create the type of lush soundscape that seems tailor-made for some arthouse soundtrack. It's intelligent stuff, designed to showcase a rapidly emerging talent, which does the job in an effective fashion. On the strength of this, Engineers have a bright future ahead of them.

JC CHASEZ - SOME GIRLS (DANCE WITH WOMEN): Having appeared with Basement Jaxx for their recent hit, Plug It In, the time seems right for JC Chasez (the one out of N-Snyc who remains in Timberlake's shadow) to make his own bid for solo superstardom. Some Girls (Dance With Women) sounds a great deal sleazier than Timberlake's efforts, and a little more grown up to boot, thanks to its headstrong mix of funky r'n'b flavas, and smooth vocals. The track also owes a lot, in composition, to the Cream/Laid style of Prince, while also possessing a lot of the values which have made The Neptunes work so highly-rated at the moment. With this in mind, the components appear to be perfectly in place to make this a massive hit. And it aint bad, either. Click here for the album...

JANET JACKSON - JUST A LITTLE WHILE: The rockiest, cheekiest track from Janet Jackson's raunchy new album, Damita Jo, is an essential, breezy r’n’b/pop fun-feast, that actually is a million miles away from the X-rated, smooth grooves that are mostly contained on the long-player. With chart success in mind, and one eye on the Outkast success formula, this boasts retro-styled guitars and catchy vocals, and a genuinely funky beat almost guaranteed to have you dancing around the bedroom. It's sweet innocence is a far cry from the sex-craved sleaze of many of the album's themes, but this a breath of fresh air that's impossible to dislike. As an advert for the album, it is misleading, but it certainly places JJ back on the map, bare breasts and all. Click here for a review of the album...

JOE - RIDE WIT U: Yet another rap/r'n'b crossover, featuring numerous well-chosen collaborations, that seem destined to propel it to the top of the charts. This time the silky-smooth vocals of Joe teams up with three G-Unit members, including, of course, 50 Cent. The presence of the In The Club star is sure to guarantee its success, but this, stripped bare, is pretty standard fare for this sort of thing. Westwood, Kiss and co will no doubt lap it up, but this is strictly for the smooth groove crowd only, who will no doubt lap it up during any Summer heatwave. Stick with D12 instead this week, folks!

EAMON - (FUCK IT) I DON'T WANT YOU BACK: Described in his publicity as 'the world's first 'ho-wop' artist' Eamon releases his ultra-controversial, but equally popular, single 'F**k It (I Don't Want You Back)', taken from his debut album of the same name. The track is a simple and hard-hitting anthem told in a love song format, but which is packed with hurt and resentful lyrics. Track of the moment on stations such as Kiss and Capital, who've, needless to say, bleeped out the naughty bits, this looks destined to become one of the tracks of the year for that crowd. Its strangely addictive, even for those who don't usually dig this sort of thing. Click here for the album...

MONDAY, APRIL 5

JOY ZIPPER - BABY YOU SHOULD KNOW: Another slab of deeply addictive psychedelic brilliance from one of last year's unsung heroes, Joy Zipper, this ought really to mark the moment they break through into the mainstream recognition. In 2003, Joy Zipper were being hailed as the next big thing in indie music, thanks to the acclaim which greeted their album, American Whip, before its release. But, in a cruel twist of fate, the album was pulled just before it was due to come out, and people were left wondering what might become of the band, which is closely affiliated to David Holmes' 13-Amp label. Let's hope 2004 is kinder, for this summery slice of laidback excellence is typical of what to expect from them. Unzip the Joy and make sure you buy this. Click here to order the album...

SOPHIA - OH MY LOVE: Described in their PR as 'Mogwai performing the sounds of Coldplay', Sophia is Robin Proper-Sheppard, assisted by a cast of musicians otherwise known as The Sophia Collective. The result is a rich, guitar-driven rock anthem, that makes a powerful statement of intent about what to expect from the new album, People Are Like Seasons. The track is actually the album opener and is a deeply addictive slice of indie-pop that ought to have people singing along to it. Bonus tracks, Genius, Someday and I Hope That I Don't Fall In Love With You are all new affairs - providing another telling insight into the songwriting prowess of the former God Machine maestro. I Hope That I Don't Fall In Love With You, for instance, is an acoustic ballad, which finds Sheppard at his most melancholy and striking, while the organ-led Genius is a dark, brooding number, which is strangely addictive. Well worth a listen. Click here for a review of the album...

22-20S - WHY DON’T YOU DO IT FOR ME: Yet another of those hotly-tipped Xfm/Radio 1 bands of the moment, the 22-20s have been dubbed as Britain’s answer to the Von Bondies and certainly rate as one of Britain’s most vibrant blues-rock acts of the moment. Why Don’t You Do It For Me is a consistent favourite among evening listeners of both Radio 1 and Xfm’s request phone-ins, or listener-based charts, and is described in its publicity as ‘a driving powerhouse of post apocalyptic intensity, featuring killer guitar, thumping rhythms and a throat lacerating vocal from Martin Trimble’. Certainly, the sound of young Britain has seldom seemed more exciting.

THE ORDINARY BOYS - WEEK IN WEEK OUT: I think I’ve said this before, but it’s always dangerous to label yourselves something as bland/ironic as The Ordinary Boys, for fear of fitting that bill perfectly. Certainly, they’d be hoping for headlines which say they are anything but, yet on the strength of this and past single releases, they continue to ride on the coat-tails of the current indie revival. Week In Week Out is the type of cheeky, chirpy observation on England that Blur wrote during their Parklife heyday, albeit with bigger guitars, but while certainly catchy and worthy of attention, it might struggle to carve out a niche for itself if the indie bubble bursts again. Accomplished, if unexciting, and therefore, ominously ordinary. Click here for a special feature on the band...

RASMUS - IN THE SHADOWS: Rasmus represent the new sound of Scandanavia and, if this Euro-tinged slice of nu-metal pop is anything to go by, then it might be worth investigating further. While distinctly mainstream in outlook, there is something distinctly catchy about its blend of pop-orientated verses, which build towards its heavier, guitar-based chorus. It's instantly forgettable, of course, but as an example of how the Europeans are getting in on the indie scene, it's a fun diversion away from the chart fodder which continues to disappoint in its blandness. A guilty pleasure, just don't get too excited. Click here for the album, Dead Letters.

AMY WINEHOUSE - IN MY BED/YOU SEND ME FLYING: The acerbic tongue of Amy Winehouse delivers two belters from the 20-year-old artist's critically-acclaimed Frank album, which should go some way to dispelling the myth that she is merely a Norah Jones wannabe. Far from it. In My Bed comes complete with a wised-up, sassy beat, and a vocal style more in tune with Erykah Badu and Nelly Furtado, rather than the sweet tones of Ms Jones. While Send Me Flying is a well-chosen bed-fellow, designed to bring out the best on the album. Don't let the mis-representations fool you, this is deeply impressive stuff, which more than justifies strong reputation she is building. Make sure to check out the album, too. Click here for a review of the album

ZOOT WOMAN - TAKEN IT ALL: The second single to emerge from Zoot Woman's recent, eponymous second album is a typically 80s-focused dance track, which features a strong set of vocals and a hypnotic driving beat. It lacks a certain something necessary to make it a classic, but it is an excellent indicator of what to expect from the album, which is a hit-and-miss affair. This is a fairly workmanlike track from Jacques Lu Cont and co which is nowhere near as good as some of the best stuff the album has to offer. It does, however, boast remixes from Todd Edwards and Le Knight Club. Click here for a review of the album...

AUTOMATO - WALK INTO THE LIGHT: Six-piece New Yorkers, Automato, release their debut UK single in fine style, as Walk Into The Light is a sharp, urgent rap song, which builds on the hot vibe coming out of the Big Apple at the moment. The record will only be available on 12", but for anyone who loves rap/hip-hop, this is a hot effort from another of the emerging acts of the moment. The scratching is also superb, as is the subtle piano which weaves its way around the words, lending things a classier edge than some of the more in-yer-face material around at the moment. These guys seem to be having fun with what they are doing and this translates well to the record. Walk Into The Light is cool stuff, and comes backed with four other records that are all worth getting excited about. The vinyl lovers among you should rush to check it out.

BEYONCE - NAUGHTY GIRL: Not content with appearing sexy enough in the tracks Crazy in Love and Me, Myself and I, Beyonce now sets herself up as a naughty girl, to rival the likes of Britney and Kylie. The result is a fairly routine track for the R’n’B queen, which feels like a final attempt to round-up some last-minute sales for the album. Once again, the artist introduces some eastern breaks, splicing them with a sample of the Donna Summer club anthem, Love To Love You Baby. But that’s not really enough to recommend it. Click here for the album.