Bryan Ferry meets Berlin? The Macabees meets Roots Manuva? Tune meets Yards? It must be singles of the week!
DJ Hell feat. Bryan Ferry – U Can Dance
Gigolo
If I'm really honest, the thought of Bryan Ferry utilising text speak or ‘raving’ basically shatters my entire world view. Everything that had hitherto been a reassuring constant in my life now collapses into a messy pile of ideological rubble.
I mean, what next? Edward VIII was a tranny? Brogues aren't real? Urgh, 'tis too much. Luckily much of this worry is assuaged by the track itself. Cold, slick and seductive, it's both classic Ferry and ideal for Berlin Fashion Week. Sehr chic ja. 4/5
TJ
The Maccabees feat. Roots Manuva – Empty Vessels
Polydor
Once upon a time, the zenith of the much-heralded grindie crossover consisted of Lethal Bizzle phoning in a rap atop The Rakes’ ‘22 Grand Job’. Then along came Hadouken! and the mini-scene all but died on its tightly denim-clad arse.
This is a curious mix – the ‘bees do their usual slow build up/driving climax shtick while Roots throws in some typically socially conscious rhymes over the top. In lesser hands it could have been disastrous, but the force is strong with this one. 4/5
MF
Helping Haiti – Everybody Hurts
Sony
A host of celebrities take on REM's classic hit 'Everybody Hurts', organised by Simon Cowell and The Sun. It is a moving version of the song, put together with the backing of a good cause, so there is no denying that it will be well received.
However, with inputs from Leona Lewis and Mariah Carey pushing it just a bit too far with their vocal histrionics, you may find yourself involuntarily cringing...but try not to! 4/5
AG
Tune-Yards – Real Live Flesh
When a mixture of rippling bird and baby noises are merely the tip of the schizophrenic musical iceberg, it’s hard to imagine a pop song crystallising amidst the din.
However, the scattered lo-fly approach of Tune-Yards’ sole member, Merrill Garbus, belies her far more salubrious streak, aided and abetted by a stomping beat and faultless vocal delivery which wouldn’t be out of place on a dancefloor – be it in Brooklyn or Bromley. Bravo says I. 3.5/5
JL
Japanese Voyeurs – That Love Sound
Have you noticed a lot of people wearing plaid shirts again? Well, if you're wearing plaid again too, here's your soundtrack. Super catchy nouveaux grunge from a band whose frontwoman has the wrong voice for it.
Listening to Japanese Voyeurs has half of you wanting to like them for not being Jedward or somesuch pop rubbish, but the other half of you wants to hate them for being derivative Nirvana wannabees. Beavis and Butthead would love the video. 3.5/5
TO
LoneLady – Intuition
Warp Records
I like her: she's good, very good. A Mancunian songstress armed with a drum machine and a trusty guitar who, according to one reviewer, sounds like Joni Mitchell fronting Joy Division, is pretty cool if you ask me.
Naturally, LoneLady wouldn’t want to be labelled, or over-hyped, so it’s lucky that 'Intuition' is quality – driven by an intense energy that reflects the song’s subject matter. In her own words: “the anxiety of finding out what you’re about and grasping your significance”, and we hope that with this single the people grasp hers. 3/5
BG
You Love Her Cos She's Dead – Young Tender Hearts Beat Fast
Code 7
With what, on first listening, sounds like a Cascada-esque opening, the latest offering from YLHCSD morphs dance anthem interludes into a distorted, chip-tune attack.
Programmed drums and 8-bit undertones clash with Karen O-like vocals. The pulsating electro throb makes this a good track to dance to, and Elle Dead's awkward voice is strangely entrancing, but altogether I just don't think this works. 2.5/5
LR
Sade – Soldier Of Love
Sony
This is ‘classic’ Sade: sombre, deep, depressing. The ‘edgy’ bassline drags it into the modern pop realm so it will appeal to the kids. It’s alright. Nothing special. I suppose if you’re a Sade fan, you’ll go nuts for it. But it doesn’t really DO much. It certainly doesn’t move me.
So, there you go. If you’ve waited 10 years for this then I’d get pissed before you hear it. That improves everything. 2.5/5
LC
You Me At Six – Underdog
Virgin Records
Despite hailing from the quintessentially English county of Surrey, You Me At Six are positively saturated with US pop punk trappings. Frequently found splashed across the trend-setting pages of Kerrang!, the quintet boasts a radio-friendly fusion of hyperactive guitars and glittering harmonies finished with a generous measure of studio gloss.
Unmistakably akin to the likes of Fall Out Boy and Paramore, the shamelessly perky 'Underdog' demonstrates limited variety in terms of musicianship, shifting back and forth between punchy, emo riffs and sweeping, anthemic sections. 2/5
FC
Erik Hassle – Hurtful
Island
Appearances are deceptive. This chap, apparently from the Scandinavian Shire is purportedly quite a dish. The entertainment carousel has got lazy. But maybe he’ll have a JT haircut in a couple years and this Spooner will eat his words.
Not Mr. Hassle though, his words are infallibly veracious, so much he infers meaning binately, ‘What I did to you was hurtful/ What I’m going through is hurtful.’ Musically ‘Hurtful’ hits the nail on the thumb and forefinger. 1.2/5
PW
A remarkably generous bunch of reviews this week, what the hell is happening? We must even things out, so here's the worst music video known to mankind.
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