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, JUNE 28

SINGLE OF THE WEEK - JOY ZIPPER - OUT OF THE SUN: The second single to emerge from Joy Zipper’s acclaimed American Whip long-player aptly demonstrates why everyone seems to be raving about this outfit at the moment. A sun-drenched, dream-like experience, packed with lyrical madness and sun-fuelled melodies designed specifically with the long, hot summer in mind, this is a quietly affecting, breeze of a single which tips its hat to the Seventies psychedelia, as well as some of David Holmes’ cool beats (they were signed to his 13-Amp label). It is no mistake that American Whip remains one of the best reviewed albums of the year, for Out of the Sun possesses an idyllic feel, which should ensure a longevity long beyond its days as a single. Click here to order the album...

LONGVIEW - IN A DREAM: Following hot-on-the-heels of last year’s mesmerising Mercury debut album, Longview release this beautiful new single, which serves to underline their skills as the kings of moody but beautiful ballads. In A Dream is typically epic in scope, and heart-rending in outlook, with Rob McVey’s melancholic vocals wonderfully being offset by the striking guitars. If you liked Further, Can't Explain and Falling For You on the album, then this offers the perfect follow-up. It should also help to propel Longview into the limelight their music so richly deserves. In A Dream is, as its name suggests, the stuff of dreams. Click here for a review of the album, here to listen to the audio, or here for a concert review of the band.

LOOSE CANNONS - I LIKE IT WHEN YA: London’s premier funk fiends, the Loose Cannons, follow-up the popularity of their Superstars single with this equally infectious, and totally funky, workout, which comes complete with some remixes from some of the coolest mixers on the circuit. I Like It When Ya is a big record in every way; a perfect intro to the forthcoming album; an excellent dance track for the approaching Summer (which contains plenty of crossover value); and a downright classic in its own right. Funky, booty-shaking fun in original format, it takes it to the max when given a hip workover by the likes of Mark Ronson and The Jungle Brothers. Only the club bangers, courtesy of Moto Blanco, ruin the party a little - but then the single comes in a variety of formats and wisely separates the two styles. A take-notice blast from the Cannons. Click here for the album, or here to listen to the track.

BASEMENT JAXX (feat Lisa Kekaula) - GOOD LUCK: A well-deserved second outing for this stomping slice of northern soul, taken from Basement Jaxx’s third album, Kish Kash. Featuring a breathtaking set of deep soul-filled vocals from the Bellrays’ Lisa Kekaula, this bouncy, high tempo rhythm buster is definitely one of the Jaxx’s best records in ages, and seems tailor-made for success among the dance-crowd of just about every movement. This one boasts some beautiful soulful breakdowns intermixed with clattering juggernaut beats, set against a tidal-wave of vocal emotion. Kekaula, in particular, has never sounded better. The only mystery remains why this wasn’t a massive tune the first time of asking - but don’t let it pass you by a second time! Click here to order the album...

JASON DOWNS - SHUT UP: Critically-acclaimed singer-songwriter, Jason Downs (of White Boy With A Feather fame) is back with a new single and a new album. Shut Up (Hook Up) is the first track to be taken from Jason's forthcoming album, The Spin, and re-introduces the singer's talent for tongue in cheek lyrics in his trademark pop/funk style. It's a subtle blend of hip-hop and country but, like White Boy With a Feather, which it is vaguely reminiscent of, it works so well, making the album one of the year's hottest prospects. It's the subtle blends of funky beats and laidback vocals which make it work so well, and which serves to guarantee that Downs appeal should grow and grow. Click here to listen to the track, or here to pre-order the album...

WONDERWALL - RYAN ADAMS: Released as much in answer to the concerted radio campaigns led by stations such as Xfm, than out of any great desire by Adams himself, this noteworthy cover version of the Oasis classic looks likely to further the reputation of the singer-songwriter, who has yet to achieve the out and out success that much of his music deserves. Covered in his own inimitable style, Wonderwall remains a sobering, daydream of a record, if a little more downbeat than when Liam Gallagher sings it. As another Dj predicted, it will probably become the chill-out record of the Summer in places like Ibiza, as well as appealing to anyone with an appreciation of good songwriting, and an artist who is not afraid to inject a classic song with his own style. Hell, even the Gallaghers like it - which is saying something.

ORDINARY BOYS - TALK, TALK, TALK: The Ordinary Boys are enjoying something of a prolific year at the moment, which shows no sign of letting up. Talk, Talk, Talk is the third single to emerge from them, and probably their finest to date. It's another adrenaline-charged three minutes of indie frenzy, albeit with a slightly more mature style about it, which hints at bigger things ahead. Lead singer, Preston, is described in his PR as sounding like 'a teenage Paul Weller on angst pills'. We'll leave that up to you to decide, but this one's certainly worth checking out from them. Click here for the album.

USHER - BURN: The follow-up to the phenomenal success of Yeah (surely the urban anthem of the summer so far, in mainstream terms), Usher’s Burn is, almost inevitably, something of a letdown by comparison (as is the rest of the album). Fans will no doubt lap it up, but while Yeah appealed to a much wider circle, this one seems designed to please the hardcore followers only. It’s all about the pain, confusion, and regret that accompany a break-up - and, much like Eamon’s equally laboured chart-topper - it frequently smacks of trying too hard, while sounding hopelessly bland. Click here for the album...

KYLIE MINOGUE - CHOCOLATE: Just when it seemed impossible for the raunchy little Australian singer to get any sexier, she goes and releases Chocolate -
arguably the best and most sultry track to be taken from her latest long-player, Body Language. This one’s all about doing what the singer does best - teasing, breathy lyrics; a memorably sexy video; a laidback, sensuous beat - virtually ensuing yet more chart success - and deservedly so!. It is also proof positive, that when it comes to this sort of thing, there are few better female artists at being able to appeal to the ladies, while also making the men hot under the collar. Click here for a review of the album.

NORAH JONES - WHAT AM I TO YOU: Norah Jones releases another track from her acclaimed follow-up album, Feels Like Home, confirming her reputation as the queen of the sweet vocals, and laidback, chilled out acoustic vibe. This one's slightly different to some of Jones' previous material, as The Band duo of Levon Helm and Garth Hudson lend a blues vibe to the somewhat melancholy What Am I To You? The difference actually helps Jones to sound a little more exciting, demonstrating the progression which has taken place on the second long-player, and which was demonstrated so ably live, during her recent UK tour dates, at the Hammersmith Apollo. Click here for a review of the gig, or here for a review of the album.

LOCKDOWN PROJECT - DOWN IN ONE: The vibrant hip-hop beats, ferocious rap and sumptuous Latin guitars of the Lockdown Project are in full effect for this latest single, from the acclaimed, self-titled long-player, that was released earlier this year. The Lockdown Project certainly know how to have a good time when putting their music together, and Down in One is typical of the busy, vibrant and downright catchy nature of the album. It's well worth checking out if you can dig this! Click here for our verdict on the album.

MAGNUS - SUMMER’S HERE: Hot off the heels of the recent release of their debut album, The Body Gave You Everything, Magnus duo, Tom Barman and CJ Bolland unveil this chilled out number, Summer's Here, which is actually taken from the soundtrack of the film, Any Way The Wind Blows. It's a funky, feel-good record, that probably captures the Magnus sound at its best, featuring a set of laidback vocals that wouldn't sound out of place on a Gus Gus or Beloved record, a slick, funky beat, and a cool vibe about it that isn't always quite so apparent on the album. The hammond organ, which rears its head towards the end, adds a touch of class. A hip number from the Belgian duo. Click here for a review of the album, or here for a special feature on Magnus.

GIRLS ALOUD - THE SHOW: Oops, there's always at least one bad track to review in a week (the rest we just ignore), but this is another of those girl band, mainstream offerings that is geared towards the pre-teen crowd, or any 'girlie girlies' who haven't really matured yet. It's actually got a little more grit to it than the norm for this sort of thing, courtesy of a grungy beat, but it's far too tame, and far too PC to warrant much attention from anyone but the usual mainstream crowd. What's worse, it comes backed with a flip and fill remix of their previous hit, Jump, which helped to ensure that the Love Actually soundtrack was a no-go area. It actually has the distinction of making a bad song worse. The Sugababes these girls aint!

MONDAY, JUNE 21

OUTKAST - ROSES: The Outkast boys continue to sweep all before them with tracks from their acclaimed album, Speakerboxx/The Love Below long-player. Roses is taken from the latter of the two, and finds Dre and Big Boi uniting for another of those infectious, energetic and totally cheeky ('I know you like to think your shit don't stink') tracks, which shows they are not afraid of diversifying and trying new things. Indeed, nothing that has emerged from the double album has sounded similar - the mark of an excellent partnership which has the confidence to be different, and the know-how to do it well. For that reason, as much as anything, it rates as our single of the week; and really should provide the definitive proof of why the album needs to be part of your collection. Click here for our verdict on it...

BLINK 182 - DOWN: Hot off the back of the huge success of I Miss You (surely Blink 182's best track to date?) comes this return to a headier style of songwriting, which manages to retain the more mature outlook associated with the latest album, while also hinting at the cartoon punk of their earlier efforts. Down is another of those supremely catchy efforts which finds the band at its most infectious, and you probably liking them in spite of any misgivings. It is another reason why last year's self-titled long-player was judged by many to be the band's most compelling work to date - it has that rare ability to be able to please the fans, while appealing to a wider fanbase. Click here for the long-player.

THE OPEN - JUST WANT TO LIVE: Hailing from Walsall and Birkenhead, The Open were recently included in the NME's 2004 'hot list' of new acts and described by the paper as 'the sound of the future'. Certainly, on the strength of this, and former single, Close My Eyes, they are emerging as another of Britain's brightest young bands. Just Want To Live is an epic power ballad, in the Embrace/Echo & The Bunnymen mode, which contains all the hallmarks of classic songwriting, and the ability to deliver memorable guitar rifts wrapped around lush melodies and heart-breaking lyrics. Vocalist, Steven Bayley, sounds suitably angst-ridden, while the backing vocals, late on, add a touch of class. Bonus track, Out of the Box, also demonstrates the band's ability to rock things up a little, with some thumping guitar, some crashing drums and yet more powerful vocals. Think Longview and you're in the right neighbourhood. The Open look set to stay around for some time. Taken from the forthcoming album, The Silent Hours, which you can pre-order by clicking here...

BELLE AND SEBASTIAN - WRAPPED UP IN BOOKS/YOUR COVER'S BLOWN: Having enjoyed their biggest hit to date with I'm A Cuckoo, Belle and Sebastian look to repeat the trick with this double-A side, which boasts one of the best tracks from their recent album, Hey Catastrophe Waitress, and a brand new track. Your Cover's Blown is a far more rockier and funkier number than anything on the album, which (in six-minute form) extends to the type of sweetly-honed rock epic that Queen were famous for, while Wrapped Up In Books marks one of the long-player's unquestionable highlights - a breezy, sixties-soaked classic, which sounds great played loud on a hot Summer's day. Their is a renewed energy surrounding Belle and Sebastian at the moment - make sure you find out why. Click here for a review of the album...

THE ALARM - NEW HOME NEW LIFE: Anyone who remembers The Poppyfields' 45rpm single, might be pleasantly surprised to find that the same people behind that have now released a second single - albeit under another name. The Calling is how Mike Peters and co will now be known, and New Home New Life is another cracking little number, which is fully worth checking out. Soaked in lush pianos, and giving way to a terrifically stirring guitar solo play-out, the track is a heartfelt affair, that bears all the hallmarks of quality songwriting. It joins 45rpm on the excellent debut album, In The Poppyfields, which is well worth checking out. Click here to order the album...

DO ME BAD THINGS - THE SONG RIDES EP: The glam rock revival continues to gain momentum with this new track from the nine-piece collective that is Do Me Bad Things. Formed on Valentine's Day 2003, in south London, the band lay claim to supplying music that merges the rockier excesses of Queens of the Stone Age, with the operatic excess of Queen, and the slightly more laidback style of Rufus Wainwright. If you like the sound of this (and you may well have caught them on Zane Lowe's Radio 1 show, or John Kennedy's Xfm sessions), then The Song Rides EP is for you. It's weird, occasionally wonderful, and sometimes totally crap. Lead single, The Song Rides, actually comes close to realising all that the band promises, but the metal-based rock opus that is That's My Demographic, is rock 'n' roll excess played to the max, and all the poorer for it. Normal service is restored, however, with third and final track, Burn Some Money, which hints at the glam-rock style of The Scissor Sisters, albeit containing some heavier guitar moments. Well worth checking out for fans of this sort of genre.

ANGEL CITY - TOUCH ME: Angel City's Lara McAllen returns with another of those turgid, bland and totally by-the-numbers pop anthems which, in itself, is a cover version of a cover version. Touch Me is best remembered as a Fonda Rae 'classic' (which is really stretching its value!), and then as a 1991 chart vehicle for Cathy Dennis. Alas, this Angel City version is far from angelic, coming across as a Kylie wannabe which really ought to know better. Breathy vocals aside, this has nothing going for it whatsoever, and is destined to become lost in mainstream oblivion (which is where it belongs). Oh, and for the really gullible, the CD comes backed with extended versions and phunk investigation's club mixes.

MONDAY, JUNE 14

GOLDEN TOUCH: Another of the hotly-tipped young indie prospects doing the rounds at the moment, Razorlight's Golden Touch certainly does enough to suggest that they are worthy of the hype. Singer, Johnny Borrell, injects a breezy, happy go-lucky style into proceedings, which somehow makes the Strokes-like guitars seem a little more fresh and exciting than the post-punk norm, while also prompting comparisons with the likes of Hot Hot Heat. In fact, there is that same jovial nature attached to everything Razorlight seems to be doing at the moment, which also threatens to usurp The Libertines (another of Britain's great musical hopes), from their place among the UK's new elite. Golden Touch displays a deft touch at getting things right almost effortlessly, so let's just hope it proves a Midas touch in terms of chart success. Taken from the album, Up All Night. Click here to order the album, here to listen to the album sampler, or here for a special feature on the band. Alternatively, click here for a review of the album...

THE BEES - HORSEMEN: The Bees follow-up their glorious comeback single, Wash in the Rain, with another excellent effort - a psychedelic blues rocker that contains echoes of Supergrass, while also marking the band's own progression, in terms of musical scope. Taken from their forthcoming long-player, Free The Bees, this is a classic example of why The Bees continue to be so highly-rated among alternative radio stations and cool music fans. Their sound is raw, its infectious and its guaranteed to sting you into record-buying life. Make sure that you do so, for Horsemen marks the sound of the band at its feel-good bes. Click here to order the album, or here for our verdict on it.

BELL X1 - EVE, THE APPLE OF MY EYE: Having burst onto the scene with Tongue, which evoked memories of Radiohead at their finest, Dublin's Bell X1 now return with a slightly softer, but no less impressive single - the latest to emerge from their acclaimed album, Music in Mouth. In what is proving to be a cracking time for indie-pop acts at the moment, what with the emergence of Thirteen Senses and Keane, this is another in that mould; a heartfelt track, which resonates with beautiful piano throughout, and yearning lyrics such as 'you left, I died' during its epic, sprawling chorus. Paul Noonan's striking vocals are another key factor in the track's undeniable allure. The album is well worth checking out. Click here for the album, or here for a feature on the band.

NERD - MAYBE: Pharrell and co take a trip back to their roots with this rock-tinged effort, courtesy of a neat guitar work-out from Lenny Kravitz and several drum rolls. Maybe is an excellent example of the album's willingness to diversify, mixing several of the genres the trio hold dear, without feeling the need to pander to the mainstream too much. Hence, it is wildly different from previous single, She Wants To Move, and might even come as a surprise to anyone who thinks they have the trio pegged, off the back of the rest of their singles. Kravtiz's presence merely serves to broaden the appeal of the track, as well as serving to prove that N.E.R.D obviously meant business when they set about drawing in some rock. It's a typically classy affair - just as we have come to expect from this hip outfit. Click here or here for a review of the album...

PINK GREASE - PINK G R EASE: Another of those extremely kitsch, Electric Six sort of rock-outs, this time courtesy of Pink Grease, Sheffield's hotly-tipped sleaze rockers. Pink G R Ease combines a brass-driven element with their more traditional rock 'n' roll approach, to deliver a glam-disco dancefloor filler that really ought to appeal to the sleaze brigade. Not being a fan of this particular movement, makes for a pretty tedious listen, especially since there is a growing feeling that you've heard this sort of thing done better before. Still, bonus track, I Need Blood, glams things up still further, even conjuring memories of Seventies-based Rolling Stones, as the lead singer lets loose on his blood craving. It didn't particularly leave me feeling thirsty, though. Taken from the forthcoming album, This Is For Real. Click here for a review of the album.

PAUL WELLER - THE BOTTLE: Paul Weller's new album takes the form of a collection of cover versions that have been given the unique Modfather makeover. Kicking things off in style, is The Bottle, a refurbished version of jazz legend, Gil Scott Heron's classic track, which marks the most exciting thing Weller has delivered in some time. The vocal style remains the same, but the track is enlivened, considerably, by some Lalo Schiffrin-inspired horns, which lend it an overtly funky feel, as well as some of the jazz workouts from the original. The driving guitar solo, towards the end, in which the mixture of styles collide, is really worth getting excited about. The bluesy Corrina Corrina, complete with mouth-organ and banjo accompaniments, could even be a Clapton classic. Make sure you crack open this bottle. Click here to listen to the track.

THE DIVINE COMEDY - ABSENT FRIENDS: For an artist who was supposed to have called it a day, the Divine Comedy seems to be churning new material out lately. This second single to emerge from the Absent Friends album is the title track, and is another typically sixties influenced slice of indie-tinged pop packed with swirling strings and subtle Bacharach and David brass arrangements. Sadly, it still possesses that irksome vocal style, which I have always had a problem with, and which makes it a little too offbeat and quirky for its own good. Where the likes of Belle and Sebastian get away with it, The Divine Comedy has never managed to appeal to me. The fanclub will, of course, be up in arms at such comments - but then this is only my opinion, and anyone who fancies the sound of this infectious mix, may well have found a new friend in the Comedy. Click here for the album.

BRANDY (feat Kanye West) - TALK ABOUT OUR LOVE: Brandy attempts to get seductive with the first track to emerge from her forthcoming album, Afrodisiac, which has been produced by Timbaland (her first collaboration with the artist). And if that's not enough, the single features another of those enticing guest appearances from smooth groove man of the moment, Kanye West, who is clearly hoping to do for Brandy what Jay-Z did for Beyonce. It's an ok blend of soul and funk, but it lacks the vibrancy of some releases, and is by no means the best track to emerge from the long-player, which (in sampler form, at least) looks to contain some of her best work yet. The single itself is just too ordinary, but virtually guaranteed massive success by the presence of West. Click here for the album, or here to watch the video.

TAZ - CAN'T CONTAIN ME: Dubbed the UK equivalent to Kanye West, Taz has only just got around to releasing his debut single, and is already being tipped for greatness. Can't Contain Me actually owes more in style to the Dizzee Rascal school of rapping, courtesy of its cheeky style, and gritty beats, and, for that reason, loses a lot of appeal. It's fast, furious and certain to get picked up by the likes of the Kiss FM crew, and Westwood and co, but it's a little too raw, and much too familiar to truly be described as groundbreaking. Quite why the hype is as hot on this kid remains a mystery - but then it takes all tastes to make a music industry, I guess. Bonus track, Only Goo Can Judge Me, fares slightly better, sounding a little more urban and tougher, but, on the whole, this comes as a major disappointment from a so-called rising talent. Click here to listen to the track...

THE MODERN - SUBURBAN CULTURE: An electro-laden slice of pop culture that provokes memories of classic Pet Show Boys, mixed with the Blur classic, Girls and Boys (courtesy of lyrics such as 'boy meet s a girl, and the girl runs away, it's the game that we play, it's suburban culture'), The Modern's single, Suburban Culture is a suitably camp affair, with just the right amount of grit to it, so as not to slide too far into glam. The female vocals ease the chorus into mainstream territory, making this a possible breakthrough single for the outfit which, on the strength of this, could be worth checking out. The Nik Zart mix remains the best version, but given that the track is very difficult to track down, you may find yourself having to search for it a bit.

MONDAY, JUNE 7

LINKIN PARK - BREAKING THE HABIT: Released to coincide with the band's headline performance at the Download Festival, Breaking the Habit marks the fourth track to emerge from the phenomenally successful Meteora long-player, and is another belter. Speed metal at its most commercial, this finds the band actually taking their foot off the pedal, in terms of heaviness, and building towards the firework-laden finale, when that unmistakeable vocal style finally kicks in. It's trademark Linkin Park, of course, but that's what the fans want, and it's hard to dislike, such is the infectious charm of the band. The anime video aint half bad, either, making this another essential chapter in the young band's growing success story. Click here for the album...

CHIKINKI - ETHER RADIO: Kicking off with a neat little guitar rift that evokes memories of Blue Oyster Cult's Don't Fear The Reaper, Chikinki's Ether Radio is a smart little indie record that marks a Scooby Snack of infectious cheek, raw emotion and electrifying innovation. The track is taken from the band's forthcoming album, Like It Or Leave It, and was recorded in Bath with renowned producer Steve Osborne (U2/New Order), then mixed in London by the equally respected Alan Moulder (Depeche Mode/Smashing Pumpkins). For the record, Chikinki are all in their mid-twenties, and are comprised of lead singer, Rupert Browne, as well as drummer, Steve Bond, guitarist, Ed East, and two keyboard players - Boris Exton and Trevor Wensley. On the strength of this, the future looks exciting and the album a hot prospect. Click here to pre-order the album, or here for a feature on the band. Or click here for a review of the album.

TWISTED X - BORN IN ENGLAND: The song the nation seems to be talking about at the moment. The unofficial England Euro 2004 single, which is a hundred times better than the FA's tired retread of a former Farm classic, Born in England marks a unique collaboration between Xfm DJ, Christian O'Connell, XFM listeners, The Wheatley brothers, and an all-star line-up, including The Libertines, Delays, Supergrass, Bernard Butler and actor, James Nesbitt. It's as cheesy as they come, of course, but designed specifically with the terraces and bars in mind, so that it's easy to find yourself chanting 'Born in England' whenever the England football team take to the field. It looks set to become the anthem for Euro 2004 and could yet be picked up by the FA (in future years) when they realise their oversight. The Oasis-inspired chorus is another telling factor in the song's appeal. You'll be singing along to it all Summer, so why not go out and buy it - and help to raise money for Help A Local Child to boot? Click here for the full story...

SCISSOR SISTERS - LAURA: A welcome re-issue for The Scissor Sisters' Laura, made possible by the success of their Comfortably Numb makeover, and the glorious Take Your Mama. It's gloriously retro, of course, and more than a little glam, but somehow not as alienating as the likes of Electric Six. In fact, there is something impossibly hip about this New York outfit, who have thus far managed to sound like the Bee Gees, without ever sounding tacky, and camp, without ever losing their cool. Laura comes complete with a funky Craig C Vocal Dub Workout, and a killer bonus track, in Borrowed Time. They recently supported Duran Duran on their tour; don't bet against them becoming that huge at some point. Click here for the album, or here for the sampler....

THE VEILS - TIDE THAT LEFT: Finn Andrew's tortured vocals serve to ensure that the new single from The Veils is another mesmerising indie anthem that exemplifies why the debut album, The Runaway Found, is so highly-rated. Fuelled by some chiming indie guitars, The Tide That Left and Never Came Back is a terrific little anthem, which manages to tap into the indie renaissance going on at the moment, while also sounding perfectly geared towards cheering up any Summer's day. The guitars are a distinguishing feature, delivering several memorable rifts along the way to its catchy chorus - which occasionally hints at The Strokes. If you haven't had chance to check out the album yet, then maybe now is the time to lift the Veils from that CD shelf. Click here for our verdict on the long-player...

CHARLOTTE HATHERLEY - KIM WILDE (DOWNLOAD ONLY): Ash guitarist, Charlotte Hatherley, blasts onto the scene with a suitably ferocious debut solo single, in the form of Kim Wilde - her long-awaited breakthrough. Kim Wilde boasts all of the trademark guitar rifts of many an Ash single, set against a female set of vocals, which define Hatherley as a talent to watch. Not that her success should come as a surprise, given that many of her tracks have appeared as B-sides on previous Ash tracks. This is frothy fun, which pays homage to several of its inspirations, while also bearing all the hallmarks of a successful Ash single. It is only available as a download, however, presumably to wet the appetite ahead of the release of the album, Grey Will Fade, which is headed our way in August. Click here for a special feature on Hatherley, or here to listen to the track in our AV Room.

REUBEN - FREDDIE KRUEGER: Hailed as being a refreshing blend of Foo Fighters and Faith No More, Britain’s Reuben produce the type of records that make Xfm drool. Taken from the debut album, Racecar is Racecar Backwards, Freddie Krueger is a minor rock classic - the type of which easily justifies the vibe surrounding them. The croaky vocals and ragged guitars make it a genuinely thrilling listen that doesn’t outstay its welcome, while the lyrics are fun and mischievous to boot. Make sure you continue to look out for this outfit.

KINGS OF CONVENIENCE - MISREAD: Billed as whimsical indie music, Kings of Convenience's new single, Misread, is certainly a strangely endearing affair - a track that creeps up on you without realising why exactly. It's a soft number, packed with tinkling pianos, lush acoustic guitars and that whimsical vocal style, which marks the Norwegian outfit as a band to watch. Whether it has the ability to make much of an impression on the mainstream remains to be seen, but there is something shamelessly innocent and sweet about Misread, which makes it difficult to completely ignore. Think Belle and Sebastian, without the female vocals, and you're probably on the right track. Click here... Taken from the album, Riot on An Empty Street. Click here to pre-order, or here for a review of the album...

JANET JACKSON - ALL NITE (DON'T STOP): The second single to emerge from Janet Jackson's raunchy new album, Damita Jo, is another excellent reason why the sassy artist continues to be so highly-regarded in music circles (despite the odd boob here and there!). All Nite (Don't Stop) is yet another sex-crazed ode to a lover, topped off by a funky, sassy beat, which should cement her place among the raunchy pop star divas of the moment. The single comes backed with the smooth urban groove, I Want You (also taken from the album), which has been produced by urban artist of the moment, Kanye West. The two make neat bedfellows - one geared towards steaming up the danceloor; the latter destined to occupy the stereo once you get that lover back home. Janet, it seems, has provided the neatest soundtrack to those long Summer nights. Click here for a review of the album.

RON VAN DEN BEUKEN - TIMELESS (KEEP ON MOVIN'): Another of those headache-inducing, thumping dance anthems, which just seem to go on and on and on. Ron Van Den Beuken is already proving to be a massive hit on the trance circuit, thanks to his work on projects such as The Mystery, Nightvision, Shane, Floyd, Clokx, and J&R Project. Hence, if the likes of Armin van Buuren and Paul van Dyk are your thing, then this is probably a great record to you; to me, though, it barely qualifies as music, coming across as a mish-mash of beats, offset by some uninspired female vocals, and that thumping beat. Timeless is the correct term for it, given that while you're listening, you tend to feel trapped for its sweaty duration.