New Releases - 23rd March

New Releases - 23rd March

18 March, 2009
by: Music Team

*Single of the Week*
Dananananaykroyd – Black Wax
Best Before

Dananananaykroyd have a stupid name, but now they've also chosen to spend their single release in SXSW just like everyone else but me. So they nearly get 0/5 on bitter principal... if only they weren't so damn good.

For yes, 'Black Wax' is in fact a corker of a single, drifting along with lilting riffs made for summer and driving, it heroically melds moments of post-Pavement lo-fi to a scuzzed up Jane's Addiction freak-out finale in a post-orgasmic bliss out. Hope they get sunburnt! 5/5 (-5 for SXSW smugness!)
JS


Noisettes – Don't Upset the Rhythm
Mercury Records

I love The Noisettes. Before the Lady Gagas and Ida Marias of this world were even picking up guitars, Shingai Shoniwa and her band were out there making the sorts of tunes these other fashion-pop princesses could only dream of. They might have disappeared for a while but they're back with a vengeance and an excellent tune to boot.

'Don't Upset the Rhythm' is a fantastic slice of disco pop mixed up with a little bit of funk and a whole lot of attitude. Love it.  4.5/5
GS


Chew Lips – Solo
Kitsune

What do you get if you cross Ratatat with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs? Chew Lips, that's what.

Their debut single 'Solo' seems to levitate in some impossible place all its own. While there is an undeniably pop melody that will probably see it on KOKO's play list until the end of time, the song has this slightly atmospheric quality that sounds like a city street at 4am. Needless to say, I'm predicting big things. 4/5
DH


Operahouse – Genius Child
Marrakesh Records

With Bowie-esque echoing vocals and plangent, descending guitar line, this track starts promisingly, and indeed, it's got a lot more to it than 90% of the crud out there. The spazz-out breakdown is a little predictable, if we're splitting hairs. And the 'oh my God I'm going under' refrain recalls the Kaiser Chiefs – unfortunate!

That said, this marriage of epic sound, crisp production and heartfelt indie ethos is a winning one. A track that deserves to rock a large crowd. 3.5/5
JH


Ill Ease – Here Comes Trouble
Unknown Indie

Whatever you think of the music, you can't fail to admire Elizabeth Sharp for making her one-piece band sound like a five-piece. Originally a drummer, she also sings and plays the guitar, bass and keyboards, building up her songs from a solitary drum rhythm. 

'Here Comes Trouble' is a perfect example of this: it's catchy as hell but is simply constructed and clearly based on a repetitive beat. As a result, the melody and vocals loop over and over which could drive you a bit mental. It's great, but listen in moderation. 3.5/5
EM


Yo Majesty – Don't Let Go
Domino

Opening with a casually thumbed electro bassline and Kym Mazelle-like waaa-wailing, 'Don't Let Go' starts off sounding like a filler house track on a '90s club compilation, though it does even out.

The single chorus line 'don't let go' is used to bridge the gap to contemporary cuts of grimy, jagged goodness. Overall it provides an OK background to the vocal talents of Shunda K and Jwl B but it's no 'Booty Klap' and is essentially a disappointing foray into conventional disco and the sleaze of club rap and picking up women. 2.5/5
LS


FrankMusik – Better Off As Two
Island Records

Listening to this, you can see why the current girl-fronted electro thing is proving so popular. Cold synthy ice-cream needs sprinkles of charisma; something that Ladyhawke, La Roux and Little Boots all seem not only aware of but also able to do something about.

FrankMusik, alas, looks, sings and dances like a tool: he should fire his hairdresser and hire a kooky front-girl. Then this song might be as brilliant as Frank clearly thinks it is. Low on charm; low on the causes of charm. 2/5
TJ


The Enemy – No Time for Tears
Stiff Records

I have to say, I'm finding it somewhat tricky to listen to this song all the way through. By approximately the half-way mark I'm just about ready to scream out, 'Please – no more! I can't take it anymore! Make it stop!' before breaking down in sobs of sheer desperation. 

No time for tears? Yes, The Enemy, I most definitely agree. And there's certainly no time to be wasted listening to this bland, we-want-to-sound-like-The-Clash drivel. 1/5
GT


Jade Ewan – My Time
Prerelease

So this is it. The song that is going to wow Europe and bring the Eurovision back to good ol' Blightly. The only problem is that the song we have is a shameless Whitney rip off. Jesus, save it for the Olympics will ya? It's embarrassing.

This is what happens when you let the people vote for things. Yes, democracy is a good thing, but leave it unchecked and you end up with the Nazis. We so should have let Morrissey do it. 0.5/5
DH


Lady Sovereign – So Human
Midget Records

Now, I'm no purist. If someone wants to do a cover of an exceptional track like The Cure's 'Close To Me' and put a new twist on it, update it with a jaunty rap so the kids will get it, then ok. It might even lead some to rediscover the original music it's based on.

But then I found out that cheeky little chav Lady Sovereign is not declaring it a cover version. The melody and lyrics are a total rip off!  What a douchebag. 0/5
EM


Whoa! We really laid into some people this time! Mind you, they were rubbish. Why not join our Facebook Group? Or maybe you'd like to dispute our verdicts in the comments section below?

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Music Team