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, SEPTEMBER 29

SINGLE OF THE WEEK - LONGVIEW - CAN'T EXPLAIN: Longview should finally get the recognition their songwriting so richly deserves following the release of this beautiful single, which encapsulates why they are so highly rated in the music press - ie, strong melodies wrapped around melancholic lyrics which seldom sound as depressing as they might, were Radiohead to sing them. Rob McVey's fragile vocals make the yearning, frustrated lyrics sound even more heartfelt - as he laments that hours turn to days, days turn to years, and I'm still here - while Doug March's crisp guitar work is as poignant and moving as ever. Longview want nothing more than for their music to touch people on an emotional level, and Can't Explain does so, with an almost effortless ease. If you've heard and loved this, then the album, which rates among the year's finest, should definitely be next on your playlist; but if you're still not convinced, then consider that they are being compared with the likes of Coldplay, Doves and Elbow off the back of this. Need any more incentive? Click here or here to read a review of the album, or here for an EXCLUSIVE interview with guitarist, Doug March.

TURIN BRAKES - 5 MILE (THESE ARE THE DAYS): Turin Brakes, like Coldplay, are a band on a roll at the moment, and their music just seems to keep getting better. This one-off single, which is available in limited edition format (see link), probably rates as the Balham-based duo's breeziest yet and, according to PR, was intended for the third album. But the boys liked it so much that they couldn't wait to put it out and share it with the masses. The result is a blissful, feelgood, typically acoustic guitar-based track, which encapsulates why the band continue to be so highly rated. The hook which accompanies the chorus harks back to The Cars, in their heyday, while also retaining that sun-drenched sound of California which permeates throughout the Ether Song album. The future looks very bright, indeed, for Turin Brakes and fans had better book tickets fast to catch them at Shepherd's Bush (with Joy Zipper) in December. Click here to order Ether Song.

TRAVIS - RE-OFFENDER: After weeks of radio play, Travis finally release the first single to emerge from the keenly-anticipated 12 Memories long-player (out in October), and it's a typically solid affair, about being trapped in a brutal relationship. From the moment the first guitar riff crops up, and Healy sings of 'fooling myself' and 'keeping up appearances', this is a terrifically beguiling, heartfelt love song, which creeps up on you and keeps getting better with each listen. The use of a separate guitar riff during the chorus evokes memories of South's Loosen Your Hold, particularly with its banjo feel, but this is essentially Travis and gets back to the type of form approaching Writing To Reach You, their big breakthrough single. When Healy sings of 'doing it again', you can't help but want to hear it again. On this form, the new album should be just as essential. Click here to pre-order the album.

BUTTERFLY BOUCHER - I CAN'T MAKE ME LOVE YOU: This debut single from Australian singer songwriter, Butterfly Boucher, will have you hooked from start to finish. The jagged rhythmical guitars that underpin the piano hook in the opening few bars create a bright, fresh sound, complementing the rawness of Butterfly’s vocals. It’s a joy and a relief to hear some genuine female talent (Butterfly played and arranged every instrument on her forthcoming album ‘Flutterby’). This song has all the energy of a dazzling Summer's day; go out, buy it, and forget about the rain for a while. Click here (Heather Metherell)

POLOROID - SO DAMN BEAUTIFUL: A dance track with a haunting, almost surreal quality, that it's hard to believe it's been the record of choice for Radio One's Ibiza stage in early August; as well as becoming Dave Pearce's tune of the week, and featuring on Dave Seaman's Global Underground album. This emotive track was first heard as the TV sound bed to England's 5-1 thrashing of Germany, before further embedding itself in the public's heart as the soundtrack to England's momentous defeat of Argentina in the 2002 World Cup. The vocal style, which evokes memories of the raw feel of early Bjork, is truly intoxicating. One to be amazed by and to hear many times over. Click here for further details on Poloroid.

CHICKS ON SPEED - WE DON'T PLAY GUITAR: Chicks on Speed are back, shouting loudly and punching out more electro-techno nonsense than ever before. Not recommended for people who suffer from migraines, these Munich-based performance artists tell us they are making a statement about pop music. But, once you take away the hype, this new single is really no less puerile than a Daphne and Celeste record. However, the repetition and tunelessness of this track could see it being popular in clubs and with hormonal teenagers, who will enjoy screaming the lyrics at each other. Click here (Heather Metherell)

ATARIS - BOYS OF SUMMER: What is wrong with people nowadays? Not a week goes by when some cover version isn't being released, but this takes the piss a little. The memory of DJ Sammy's interpretation of Don Henley's 1980 classic has just been laid to rest, and now we have the Ataris getting in on the act, with a more straight-forward rock out. In truth, it's not a bad version of the song, although it might better be served as a B-side, as most of the best types of covers are (see The Vines, or Travis, as examples), while the effort to make the lyrics more contemporary - 'deadhead sticker on a Cadillac' has been changed to 'Black Flag sticker', etc - feel more than a little token. It remains to be seen what Ataris can do with their own material. But for those who haven't heard of Don Henley, this is a far, far better introduction to it, than the vile dance version that has already been unleashed. And anyone who thinks that Ataris are covering that record (and there are some!) deserve to be lined up and....

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

SINGLE OF THE WEEK - FEEDER - FIND THE COLOUR: You have to take your hat off to Feeder. They've come through the traumatic death of their drummer in spectacular style, delivering one of the great albums of all time, in Comfort in Sound, and three singles of thrilling quality, in Just The Way I'm Feeling, Come Back Around, and Forget About Tomorrow. Their fourth, Find The Colour, is quite possibly their most upbeat and melodic to date, a genuinely feelgood record that makes you feel 'so damn good'. The guitars, as ever, exude an infectious energy, while Nicholas's vocals are brimming with a new-found hope, the type of which can allow a little ray of sun to shine on even the dullest day. If you haven't been seduced, then what are you waiting for. Click here to order Comfort in Sound, or here for some Feeder news.

YEAH YEAH YEAHS - MAPS: New York pop-punk rockers, the Yeah Yeah Yeah's, change the pace, somewhat, for this eye-opener of a single to be taken from the acclaimed Fever to Tell LP. Lead singer, Karen O, displays a hitherto untapped vulnerability to her vocal style, which makes Maps all the more effective, while the overall feel of the guitar-work is much less aggressive and more fully realised. In fact, there are times when O approaches the tender fragility of a young Chrissie Hynde, making this particular stop on the Yeah Yeah Yeah's journey of discovery one well worth stopping to reflect on. It's probably the closest they have come yet to a ballad, while retaining that emotional charge that screams out of most of their records. Click here to order the album.

FOO FIGHTERS - HAVE IT ALL: The latest single to emerge from the Foo Fighters' platinum-selling album, One By One, is a typically explosive stadium pleaser that harks back to the band's earlier, more rock-driven days. As such, it is simply more of the same, only louder and, quite frankly, more than a little dull. At their best, Grohl and co have delivered such gems as the ballad, Walking After You, the melodic, Learning To Fly, or the breezy Next Year - all times when their music is prepared to do a little more than simply thrash about the place. Have It All, like most of the singles to have emerged from One By One, gets back to basics and feels a little lazy and uninspired. The fans, though, will lap it up, particularly as it comes with their interpretation of Prince's Darling Nikki and live versions of tracks taken from their Radio 1 live lounge session. Click here to order the album.

THE DARKNESS - I BELIEVE IN A THING CALLED LOVE: The Darkness, it appears, can do no wrong at the moment, as every new venture is greeted with the type of euphoria reserved for usually the best bands. Their glam-rock, OTT style of songwriting is taken up a notch with the re-release of this single, which will probably become a massive hit, just off the back of the hype which currently surrounds them. There is kitsch value to be gained from it, while the song is sung in such a grandiose style that it's hard not to smile, or imagine the band having fun, but iare they really worth the hysteria surrounding them? Queen did it far better, way back in the day when the likes of Bohemian Rhaposdy were first taking a bow; and I still can't help but recall the long-haired, 80s based likes of Europe whenever I hear them. Is that really a good thing? Click here to order Permission to Land.

LENE MARLIN - YOU WEREN'T THERE: Following a couple of years absence from the UK, Swedish singer, Lene Marlin, returns with the first track to emerge from her forthcoming Another Day album in fine style. A breathy, atmospheric ballad, with shades of The Cardigans' latest style, You Weren't There is packed with the same sort of acoustic driven melodies that helped to ensure her debut album, Playing My Game, sold over one million copies. What's more, it's based on personal experience, which makes it sound all the more heartfelt, and, believe me, Lene has the type of voice you'll want to listen to for ages... Click here for a Q&A with Lene Marlin.

OUTKAST - GHETTO MUSIC: Grammy-winning duo, Outkast, deliver a headache-inducing, adrenaline fuelled piledriver of a record, which arrives like an affront to good taste, thanks to its unrelenting fusion of 90s Detroit techno synth and electro beats, along with samples of Patti Labelle, to break things down midway through. There is no denying its ability to grab your attention, such is the breathtaking force with which it goes about its business, but you might find yourself asking why several Djs are raving about such a ridiculously sprawling mess. Keep it in the ghetto, dudes!

SHACK - BYRDS TURN TO STONE: Shack - aka John and Mick Head - finally release the first single from their acclaimed, Here's Tom With The Weather album, their first for four years. Byrds Turn To Stone is a simple, sweet and oh-so melodic chillout track, with a great acoustic backdrop, some nice harp and a really fine vocal turn, making it almost the perfect Sunday morning cure for a hangover. The Head brothers cite The Beatles and The Beach Boys as influences, and both are in evidence here, as well as early Stone Roses. Well worth a listen and a fine introduction to what to expect from the album. Click here for a review of the album.

LIMP BIZKIT - EAT YOU ALIVE: Anyone who thought (or even hoped!) that Limp Bizkit were a spent force following the high-profile departure of Wes Borland had better think again, for Durst and co burst back with Eat You Alive, a monster of a single to be taken from the band's forthcoming album, Results May Vary. Fresh off the back of their expletive-filled set at Finsbury Park, the Bizkit blast their way back into our psyche with this heart-thumping love song, with Durst's prolific vocals as strong as ever. Mike Smith's power-chords may be more straight-forward than Borland's, but it doesn't seem to stop the band being as outrageous as ever, with lyrics such as 'I'd love to sniff on those panties now' sure to rate among the most perverse and unapologetic of the year. Click here to pre-order the album.

METALLICA - FRANTIC: The second single to emerge from Metallica's St Anger is yet another grisly, guitar-soaked metal anthem, packed with lyrics such as 'my lifestyle determines my death style' and talking of wasted lives. James Hetfield's vocals are as ragged as ever, as he talks of 'keeping searching', while Lars Ulrich's pounding, unrelenting drums are quite capable of giving you a headache on a very bad day. Angry, fierce and living up to the band's name tag as the 'heaviest metallers' in the world, this is for the fans only. Everyone else should just carry ear plugs. Click here for a review of St Anger.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

THE ELECTRIC SOFT PARADE - THINGS I'VE DONE BEFORE: Given the phenomenal success of the Electric Soft Parade's debut album, Holes in the Wall, which was written largely while the White brothers, Alex and Tom, were in the middle of their student days, and which spawned the classic singles, Silent to the Dark and Empty at the End, it was always going to be interesting to see how they would follow it up. The answer is, expertly. Second album, American Adventure, arrives in October and the first single, Things I've Done Before, shows all the signs of a young band still growing in confidence, in that it marks a larger, more grandiose style of songwriting, drawing in some excellent slide guitar, some neat breaks and grittier psychedelic harmonies, as well as the feelgood Brit-pop vocals of old. This is the type of record which fires your imagination from the moment you hear it, and leaves you baying for more. Click here to pre-order the album...

THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS, feat. THE FLAMING LIPS - THE GOLDEN PATH: A collaboration between big-beat dance kings, The Chemical Brothers, and the wacky Wayne Coyne, of The Flaming Lips, would seem like a dream ticket; an, erm, Golden Path to musical delirium. Sadly, it's not that great. The beats kick off in grand Chemical Brothers style, evoking memories of earlier work, before the vocals kick in and lend it a somewhat uneven tone. Coyne sounds more like a mystical preacher than the lead singer of the Lips during the early stages, and only really finds his range when asking the listener to 'please forgive me', which is when the single really comes into its own. The background beats, flutes and synthesizers then work into a frenzy of old school breaks and beats, which really do excite as they should. Good, but not great, it comes as no surprise to find it being used to promote a greatest hits album, rather than the arrival of a major new album. Click here to pre-order the singles collection.

PLACEBO - SPECIAL NEEDS: It's not very often you'll find me raving about Placebo, but Special Needs, the latest single to emerge from their soon to be re-released album, Sleeping With Ghosts, is a beautifully beguiling record, that just keeps getting better with each listen. Perhaps it's because the guitars and Brian Molko's vocals are more under-stated than usual, or maybe because the track builds nicely towards its shimmering chorus, but this is one of those records that gets into your head and refuses to let go. The guitar work, in particular, lends a haunting, even brooding quality to the track, while Molko has seldom sounded so sad, when talking about late teen angst and the special needs of the title. Highly recommended, in itself, the single also comes complete with a Freelance Hellraiser mix of English Summer Rain. Click here for the album, here for details of the re-release, or here to listen to it...

STELLSTARR - JENNY: It's been a while since Stellastarr burst onto the UK music scene with their debut single, Somewhere Across Forever, which immediately saw people hailing them as New York's next big thing. But knock-out sessions at Leeds and Reading have only heightened anticipation ahead of the October release of their self-titled debut album, and this well-timed single, Jenny, should restore the hype to its former levels. Boasting the same sort of vigorous guitar sound that emanates from the majority of the New Yorkers at the moment, Stellastarr actually stand out because of the distinctive vocal style of lead singer, Shawn Christensen, whose hyper-active range is, once again, to the fore here, evoking memories of John Lydon or Psychedelic Furs, and becoming nicely offset by the sweet, childlike backing vocals of Amanda Tannen. The trick is repeated to similarly soothing effect on second track, Arlington Queen, which also rolls out the guitars to grandiose punk/indie effect. Homeland, the third track on the single, is also a cracker. One can only wait for the album. Click here to pre-order the album. Alternatively, click here to find our more about the album itself, or here for IndieLondon's verdict on Stellastarr live at the Monarch earlier this year.

ATLAS - STANDING ON SHOULDERS: A sweet-voiced quartet hailing from Australia, New Zealand and Sweden, Atlas finally deliver Standing on Shoulders, a breathy, melodic and effortlessly pleasing indie record, that evokes memories of The Sundays, as well as Frou Frou, The Cardigans and a little Bjork. No surprise, then, to find the presence of Tore Johansson on producing duties (who worked with The Cardigans for Gran Turismo). Standing on Shoulders is a hopelessly breezy, feelgood record that does just enough to make you want to hear more, while lead singer, Eden, who used to work as a clothes designer, has the type of voice which is as innocent, whispery and hypnotic as any of the aforementioned artists. An excellent little taster, let's hope it serves to put Atlas on the map.

NICKELBACK - SOME DAY: Vancouver-based rockers, Nickelback, revert to a tried and tested formula for the first single to be taken from their forthcoming, The Long Road, album, and will, no doubt, enjoy a repeat of the success of records such as How You Remind Me. Chad Kroeger's aching lyrics remain as brooding and distinctive as ever, delivering yet another power-ballad of a chorus, while the guitars are as distinctive as before, particularly during the chorus when the background work evokes memories of the new Travis single and South's banjos. According to some statistics, How You Remind Me was played once every three and a half minutes at the height of its popularity on US radio and, given that this owes a lot in style to that monster of a record, expect Some Day to be cropping up everywhere over the next 12 months. Competent stuff which is hard not to dislike, even though you may find yourself wanting to. Click here to pre-order the album, or here to listen to the single.

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE - SENORITA: The Justin Timberlake success story shows no signs of easing up yet, with the usual big things expected from his latest single, Senorita, a latino-flavoured, smooth groove that finds the young singer sounding more like early Michael Jackson than ever before. The single is actually the opening track on Timberlake's Justified album, and boasts production values from The Neptunes, yet it is a suitably sassy number, which actually sounds different from anything Timberlake has released before. It will also be notable for JT's decision to include a guy/girl call-and-answer session, with both parts sung by JT himself. Great fun for the pop generation. Click here to order the album.

STING - SEND YOUR LOVE: Sting reunites with songwriter Victor Calderone, who teamed up with him for 1999's successful Desert Rose, for the first effort to emerge from his forthcoming tenth studio album, Sacred Love, and succeeds in making himself contemporary once more. Send Your Love contains a suitably uptempo beat, courtesy of some tribal drums, while the vocals are as haunting and under-stated as ever. The record won't win Sting many new fans, or convert those who dismiss him as a has-been, but there is no denying that the singer has done what it takes to remain in the spotlight and continues to churn out material which, at the very least, is listenable. It will be interesting to hear what direction the rest of the album takes. Click here to pre-order the long-player.

NAS - GET DOWN: It's testament to the enduring legacy of James Brown that any band/artist who includes a sample from the 'godfather of soul' has a better than average chance of making their own material sound cool. And so it is that Nas samples Brown to great effect for Get Down, the latest attitude-laden slice of hip-hop to emerge from the urban artist's highly-rated God's Son long-player. Nas, himself, contributes some great storytelling onto the track, but it's the Brown sample that really elevates the record to something worth buying. Expect this to be huge. Click here to order it on 12" vinyl, or here to order the album...

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8

MUSE - TIME IS RUNNING OUT: The current kings of cool return with the first single to be taken from their forthcoming Absolution album, and it's a suitably angst-ridden and fiery piece of work. Best described, by HMV, as operatic rock, Muse appear to be getting bolder and more confident with each new single, and Time Is Running Out is an excellent example of what to expect from the brilliant new album. This comes complete with the trademark thumping basslines and those oh-so distinctive vocals, making it a true anthem that should go down a storm whenever it is played live. Rousing, moody and brilliant. Click here to pre-order the album

LINKIN PARK - NUMB: The third single to be lifted from Linkin Park's Meteora album is everything we have come to expect from the nu-metallers. That is to say, slow building verses, lots of gentle keyboards and yearning vocals, before the typically robust chorus. If you don't like Linkin Park, this won't convert you, but fans will no doubt be lapping it up, particularly as it affords the chance to see another of those amazing videos (Somewhere I Belong recently won the MTV Best Rock Video category). Subtle, it aint, but there is something about this band which compels me to recommend them. Perhaps it's because they make nu-metal so accessible and fun, at the same time as tapping into those teenage feelings of angst and frustration which all too frequently spill over into adulthood, too. The little boy in every man should jump up and down with each chorus!

ELVIS - RUBBERNECKIN': Following the overwhelming success of JXL's take of Elvis Presley's A Little Less Conversation, it was only a matter of time before other Djs got in on the act. Rubberneckin' is next up for the King, and is a typically lively rock 'n' roll track that seems tailor-made for an accompanying, contemporary beat. It comes courtesy of Paul Oakenfold, yet it curiously lacks the all-round enjoyability factor of its predecessor. Still, it should go down a storm, and remains compelling proof of the durability of the King. You can't help but want to dance to it.

LESS THAN JAKE - SCIENCE OF SELLING YOURSELF SHORT: SKA-punk rockers Less Than Jake take a trip into reggae territory for one of the better tracks to be released from their Anthem album. Science of Selling Yourself Short dispenses with the heavy guitars and head-banging angst of so many US bands at the moment in favour of something a little more subtle, and actually sounds all the better for it. In fact, it's doubtful whether you'd be able to guess this is the same band that brought you the likes of She's Gonna Break Soon, given the proliferation of trumpets on show. But it just goes to show what bands are capable of if they are willing to experiment. That said, the album still contains plenty of guitars and teen frustration, so grab the single and think of what might have been...

BANDITS - 2 STEP ROCK: Best described as a punchy little rock 'n' roll number, ‘2 Step Rock’ was born out of the sounds and people of the Bandwagon club nights that The Bandits helped to create. It also harks back to a bygone era of rock 'n' roll songwriting, evoking memories of early Jam, as well as the swinging Sixties, and an element of The Doors to round it off. If it sounds like a heady mix, then that's probably because it is, yet it should go some way to raising the Liverpudlians profile, as well as evoking the odd comparison with the likes of The Strokes. On the strength of this, The Bandits are a band to keep your eye on. Click here to listen to 2 Step Rock...

MARY J BLIGE - LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT: The latest single from Mary J reads like a who's who of the urban scene, given that it features guest vocals from Mthod Man and boasts production assistance by P Diddy. You half expect to hear Jay-Z cropping up somewhere. At a time when male/female urban/hip-hop collaborations are all the rage, Love At First Sight is a suitably classy addition to the genre, thanks to Mary J's sultry vocal style, and another urgent backbeat, which brings out the best in Method Man's vocal style. By no means a classic, this, at the very least, offers an intriguing insight into what to expect from the new album, which also includes collaborations with the likes of 50 Cent and Eve. Click here to pre-order the album.

NELLY feat P DIDDY - SHAKE YA TAILFEATHER: One of many tracks that will no doubt be lifted from the Bad Boys 2 soundtrack as the release of the film approaches, this heavyweight collaboration between two of the top names in hip-hop at the moment, Nelly and P Diddy, possesses a suitably soundtrack feel, while also retaining the elements we have come to expect from both these artists. Hence, we have attitude in spades, references to women galore, a near ever-present police siren wailing in the background (as a nod to the film), and countless references to 'bad boys'. It works well within the context of the movie, which is all about style over substance and the MTV effect, but as a stand-alone track, it feels somewhat naked without the pictures to back it up. Fans of both Nelly and P Diddy will, no doubt, lap it up, though. Click here for Bad Boys 2 soundtrack...

SEAL - GET IT TOGETHER: Seal releases his first solo material in ages, following his successful collaboration with Jakatta, and goes all serious, thinking about 'all of the troubles of today' on the way to another moody slice of uptempo disco-based r'n'b. Yet while his voice remains as powerful as it did when at the height of his popularity with Crazy and Killer, the music which accompanies it hasn't really moved on, and this feels like a lazy way to ease back into the limelight. Whether it works for the artist, however, remains to be seen, although with a firm following among the Capital FM and Radio 1 crowd, it is virtually signed, Seal-ed and delivered. Merely average.

SPIRITUALIZED - SHE KISSED ME (IT FELT LIKE A HIT): Although this was released on September 1, it's still worth catching up with, not least for the extravagant artwork which accompanies every release (and which is sure to appeal to the more loyal fans out there). Fast, furious and as raw as they've been for a long time, She Kissed Me (It Felt Like A Hit) often feels like a short, sharp blast to the ear drums, with its frantic guitars, gutsy drum loops and breathless vocals. The lead single from Amazing Grace, it is little surprise to hear that it was recorded in under three weeks, at Rockfield Studios, with minimal overdubs. It almost sounds like it could have been recorded in someone's front room.

LISA SCOTT-LEE - TOO FAR GONE: Lisa Scott-Lee looks to build on the success of her debut single, Lately, with another disco-based pop song, yet while the record itself will probably find success, one has to wonder why. Too Far Gone is nothing more than sub-standard Danni Minogue, with its eye on Kylie, which is a bland addition to an overworked musical genre, made purely to cash in on the success of this type of music among the teen market. The video gives Scott-Lee the chance to dress up in numerous outfits and cavort around as though she's enjoying it - but while she just might be, the more discerning listener is likely to want to run, screaming, from any nightclub that plays it.

BARBARA BALDIERI - TODO LO QUE QUIERO (ALL I WANT IS YOU): Italian-American singer, Barbara Baldieri, claims to be the latest in a long line of sultry Latino-American singers, hailing back to the likes of Gloria Estefan, Shakira and J-Lo, and her debut single, All I Want Is You, certainly seems to suggest she has the credentials necessary to place her into that bracket. A lusty dancefloor anthem ('when we kiss, it's passion'), designed to make the most of her breathy, winsome vocals, All I Want Is You begins as the type of dancefloor anthem that you hear everywhere in Ibiza, before offering up some flamenco guitars that add that essential Latino flavour. It has a very familiar flavour and, vocals aside, isn't that enticing, but as a record which marks the arrival of another sexy diva, it could well be worth keeping an eye on. The Brad Gilderman radio edit plays up the guitar sound, and dispenses with the beats, to far greater effect but this is, in the final anlysis, mainstream fare with its eyes pinned firmly on the charts - hence the presence of the sweaty, pumped-up Europa XL 12" mix and the Hillyer & Johnson makeover. Click here for a profile of the singer...

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1:

MARTINA TOPLEY-BIRD - ANYTHING: Another effortlessly classy single from Mercury Music Prize nominated artist, Martina Topley-Bird, which drips style. Far more chilled than former single, Need One (with those Josh Homme guitars), this owes a lot in style to the chilled out, dream-like quality of classic Morcheeba, before drifting into a laidback acoustic guitar interlude that merely serves to accentuate the sultry vocals of Martina. It's easy to run out of superlatives for music this good, but anyone who hasn't already sampled the delights of debut solo album, Quixotic, had better rush out and buy it now (along with the single), which has been given a make-over for release. Breathlessy entrancing and hopelessly beautiful. And then there's the bonus tracks, Skyscraper and I Wanna Be There (the latter taken from the album), which merely serve to underline the emergence of a major new talent. Click here to watch the video...

STARSAILOR - SILENCE IS EASY: Fitting, really, that Starsailor should release their new single on the same day as the Rolling Stones put out their Sympathy for the Devil remix (the former supported the latter during the UK tour). This has to rate as Starsailor's finest record to date, an infinitely more cheery and uplifting effort than anything on the debut album, which has to be viewed as one of the finest band makeovers for a long, long time. The presence of Phil Spector, pre-murder charges, no doubt, has a lot to do with it, but Silence Is Easy, with its catchy chorus and chiming guitars, makes the prospect of a new Starsailor album something quite appealing. Click here for a review of Starsailor at Twickenham RFU...

ROLLING STONES - SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL REMIX: Is there no stopping The Rolling Stones at the moment? Having just taken London by storm with sold-out live dates at Twickenham Rugby Stadium and the Astoria, and following a hugely successful world tour, they now remix one of their oldest and greatest singles for a full-on assault on the charts. Sympathy for the Devil is one of those timeless tracks which always seems to sound great, no matter how many times you hear it; no doubt due to the hopelessly catchy 'woo, hoo's', and those distinctive guitar riffs of Keith Richards'. The main remix receiving radio play doesn't really add that much, asider from a weightier beat, and a nicely observed acoustic chill out midway through. But there is also an effort from Fatboy Slim to contend with, making this one for all Stones fans, as well as a younger generation. And who'd bet against this doing the same for the Stones, as the Junkie XL remix did for Elvis Presley's A Little Less Conversation. It could well start a new trend (particularly as The King has also been given a Paul Oakenfold working over). Click here for a review of the Stones at Twickenham, or here for further details on the remixes...

THE FREE ASSOCIATION - SUGARMAN: David Homes and his Free Association return with another gem of a track, though this time not from the self-titled album. Sugarman is a revamp of the Rodriguez classic of the same name, found when Holmes picked up the artist's long-forgotten album, Cold Fact. And what a reminder. Petra Jean Phillipson's striking vocals are as sultry as ever, and perfectly complimented by Rodriguez (now 69-years-old) himself on backing vocals. The track is given added zeal by the lazy guitars samples, which add extra flvaour to the loose, bluesy beats that have become the Holmes trademark. The Free Association have seldom sounded better. And were it not for the quality of most of this week's releases, this would be another that is vying for record of the week. Click here for our verdict on the FA's debut album.

DIDO - WHITE FLAG: It's been a while, but Dido returns with her first new material since the re-issue of her acclaimed, and hugely successful No Angel album, which benefited greatly from her sample on Eminem's Stan. And for Dido fans, the news is that very little has changed in the four years since. The haunting, winsome vocals are still nicely offset by the gentle beats that have become her hallmark, making this an effortless way to ease back into the sound of the artist ahead of the new album. For me, however, it doesn't seem enough of a progression, particularly given her musical background with the likes of Faithless. I feel there is so much more she could do. But then if it 'aint broke, why fix it? And this is still infinitely better than the manufactured tat she will be going up against in the charts.

THE WHITE STRIPES - I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH MYSELF: Could The White Strips be any more cool if they tried? Not content with leading the Eighties-based punk-rock revival and scooping just about every best of year prize going last year, they continue to go about re-defining things in their own inimitable style. I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself, a cover version of the Dusty Springfield classic, is another of those hopelessly stretched titles which last longer than the song, but which remains effortlessly pleasing to boot. I must confess, I hated it upon first listen, but whenever it gets into my head it proves impossible to shift. Hopelessly simple, yet containing some great guitar hooks and some typically strained vocals from Jack White, this just keeps getting better and better. We defy you not to be singing I Just Don't Know to yourself all day once you've heard it a few times. Oh, and it also features that black and white Kate Moss video, featuring the model as a stripper. We'd certainly know what to do with her.... Click here for the DVD. Click here to order the album, Elephant.

FREELAND - WE WANT YOUR SOUL: Brighton-based DJ, Adam Freeland, decided to take a break from spinning the decks to form his own band, Freeland, much in the same way that David Holmes did with The Free Association. The result makes for familiar, but worthwhile listening, particularly in album form. Now And Them is released on September 15, but, in the meantime, we have this appetising taster, in the form of We Want Your Soul, a record about 'the destructive side of consumer culture'. Currently going down a storm on both Xfm and Radio 1, the track is a frenetic, upbeat dance track, which starts with loads of warped beats and crazy loops, before giving way into an excellent guitar riff from Chilean, Antonio. The nod to America - 'go back to bed America, you're government is in control again' - is a statement of intent as well, given that Adam wants his music to say something, and formed Freeland in order to get his message across. It may take a couple of listens to get into, but this is well worth checking out - as is the album. .. Click here to pre-order the album, here for more information, or here for a sample...

COOPER TEMPLE CLAUSE - PROMISES, PROMISES: After a brief hiatus, Cooper Temple Clause return with the first track to be taken from the forthcoming album, Kick Up A Fire and Let the Flames Break Loose. Promises Promises recaptures the trademark Clause sign from the outset, brimming with fiery guitars and wailing vocals, as only they know how. The Oasis influence that was particularly evident in former single, Who Needs Enemies, also returns here, making the prospect of the new album an exciting one, next week. Click here to pre-order the album.

MARILYN MANSON - THIS IS THE NEW SH*T: WIthin the first few seconds of This Is The New *hit, we're well into Marilyn Mansun territory, with the curses 'rebel, rebel, bitch, bitch'... and don't forget the sex and violence... and that's even before the vicious, full-on chorus, where that vocal style is strained to the limit. Mansun fans will, no doubt, hail it as another work of genius from the master of the obscene, but few other people will find much merit in it. It's electro-rock taken to the absolute extreme, with warped guitars, twisted electronica, and those kitsch vocals. The album version is actually better than the single, with the guitars more pronounced and less glam-rock, while, for the curious, the Goldfrapp remix is worth checking out. Click here to order the album, The Golden Age of Grotesque.

BLACK EYED PEAS (feat. JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE) - WHERE IS THE LOVE: A hip-hop/pop crossover that deals with current events may not sound like the ideal recipe for chart success, but throw in a little Justin Timberlake and it seems an inspired choice. The Black Eyed Peas have been doing the rounds for some considerable time without much success, but Where Is The Love?, a sweet-sounding rant against the world (murder, mass destruction, chaos, etc), could well do the trick for them. It's a catchy, even inspiring record, that benefits greatly from Timberlake's additions, and, for once, doesn't sound as condescending or as cliched as the type of stuff that Michael Jackson was churning out a few years back. For once, this is a pop record that deserves to do well.