New music releases

Hot Chip 'One Pure Thought' (EMI)
This song just shouldn't work but it does, and it's the best single out this week by a mile. Rather than treading well worn paths to songwriting, this is like an eighties video game being played in a dream until it goes all dancehall and chants 'I won't be on my way'. Oh and did we talk about the great choppy guitars at the beginning? Or the sci-fi chorus that floats across this song talking about dreams? No, and we bet you're completely lost as to what this 'One Pure Thought' sounds like so therefore you should go out and buy it.



Ida Maria 'Queen Of The World' (Waterfall)
Having grown up in a Norwegian town that saw almost no daylight, it's no wonder why Ida is singing about drink-induced escapism. And this style of upbeat folkish pop goes a long way to capturing the feeling of having a great time with your mates on a night out. And like that night, it's great fun but you couldn't do it all the time.



Matchbox Twenty 'These Hard Times' (Atlantic)
Matchbox Twenty's Rob Thomas has always done our heads in. Well his over-the-top, over-pronounced vocals have; we've never met the chap. Someone must have told him, because in this new single he's toned it down to sing in a more simple way, rather than his usual demented offspring of Eddie Vedder voice. The song is pleasant enough, destined for use on American teen soaps everywhere. That either excites you, or forces a little sick out. Horses for courses.



Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly 'Keep Singing Out' (Atlantic)
There is little that stands out about this latest single from the affable Sam Duckworth. The phrase 'standard fare' immediately springs to mind. However, the timing of its release might be its saving grace. The upbeat brass section and Theremin-style keyboards are tailor-made for a hot summer. Having said that it might rain again.



Cassie 'Is It You' (Atlantic)
Taken from the soundtrack to 'Step Up 2 The Streets' this song is everything you'd expect. A slick R'n'B love song that is catchy enough, but almost instantly forgettable. For all the harmonies and big synths over the 'Is It You' chorus this is definitely the song everyone is walking out of the cinema to, the lights coming on wondering what bus to catch.



Beth Rowley 'So Sublime' (Universal)
Veering dangerously towards a theme song for a rubbish US sitcom (the ones with canned laughter and people with far too white teeth) this is far from sublime. Beth has a pleasant voice and probably makes a very nice herbal tea but there's not much to get excited about for the under fifties here.



The Accidental 'I Can Hear Your Voice' (Full Time Hobby)
Folk music so simple it verges on the twee. A bit like Kings of Convenience but a lot more irritating.



Black Lips 'Bad Kids' (Vice Music)
Painfully trendy fashion mag Vice release an unsurprisingly scenester track in the Black Lips' 'Bad Kids'. You can imagine 16-year-olds shuffling about in their £5 plimsolls and waving their floppy hair about but we were a bit disappointed after looking at the title too quickly and thinking it had something to do with the much more exciting Black Kids. It doesn't.



Paramore 'That's What You Get' (Fueled By Ramen)
Pop punkers Paramore were recently nominated for a Best New Artist Grammy and we can see why. Full of energy, rasping guitars and clever lyrics 'That's What You Get' is another (not totally necessary) release from album 'Riot'. Nothing exceptional but this is at least the one that Hayley Williams shouts for everyone to get dancing to, so fans will love it.



» Reviewed by: Matthew, Matt, Naomi and Rory
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