Singles
Friday, 09 May 2008 14:54
Ah, the music industry's relentless desire for our aural attention continues with this week's brand new singles including the Thirst, May7ven, Hot Chip and Ida Maria.
Single Of The Week
Thirst: Sail Away
Wooden Records; out May 12th
Drawing upon their upbringing in Brixton, the Thirst's latest single twists lyrics around a nagging riff and punchy drums to great effect.
Sail Away, produced by Jim Abbiss, is the sort of urban ballad that Lily Allen longs to make.
The Thirst's lead singer Mensah said of the Brixton-inspired track: "It's about the dark side of what goes on there.
"We love it because it's our home but we've been bumming around the place so long, we want more than that."
The B-side is the scorching David E Sugars Morning Jim Remix that drops Mensah's vocals onto pulsing bass and spacey echoes.
The Thirst are lead guitarist and vocalist Mensah, bassist Kwame, rhythm guitarist Marcus and drummer Mark. Their sound is a melting pot of inspirations from their parents' punk records and the drum 'n' bass and hip-hop of their own youth.
They were discovered playing at the Half Moon in Putney by Ronnie Wood.
The band has been championed by Radio 1's Zane Lowe and BBC 6 Music's Tom Robinson.
The summer of 2007 saw them perform at Hyde Park Calling and Glastonbury, as well as supporting the Sex Pistols and the Rolling Stones.
Said bassist Kwame: "With the Stones we played in front of 40,000 people in Croatia. It was utterly mind-blowing."
New single Sail Away is from the band's forthcoming debut album On The Brink, which has seen them working alongside Jim Abbiss, Jake Fior and James Lewis. On The Brink is due out this summer.
The Thirst have also been working with Pete Doherty. Kwame takes up the story: "Yeah, we're collaborating on his new album. While being stranded after a gig in Manchester, Pete took pity and brought us back to his place."
A late night jamming session followed with a top secret track in the offing.
May7ven: Hands Up
Best Entertainment Global; out now
With a name resembling something from one of comic-book writer Grant Morrison's more outre graphic novels, comes the sleek R 'n' B of May7ven.
This lovely lady has a Rihanna vibe going on but her voice exudes far more power and verve, bringing to mind En Vogue at their sassiest.
The B-side, Funky House Remix featuring Pitt, will find a home on Kiss, and deservedly so. In fact, the remix lets May7ven's superb vocals really soar.
Track three, the Video Edit, smoulders as May7ven's voice writhes and cavorts on a delicious backbeat.
Sexy, cool and with lashings of attitude get ready for May7ven.
We Are Scientists: Chick Lit
Virgin Records; out May 12th
Full of passionate vocal surges and alienated guitars, Chick Lit is an indie disco floor filler, and no mistake.
Thanks for inviting us into your lab, Scientists.
Laura Marling: Cross Your Fingers
Virgin Records; out May 12th
So-so indie folk with a jingly-jangly fairground ride on valium feel.
Black Lips: Bad Kids/Leroy Faster
Vice Music; out May 12th
Like some bizarre fusing of surf rock and the Doors, Black Lips are back to set off a ton of dynamite under your preconceptions with the outstanding Bad Kids.
And the fun continues with the shambling, whiskey-soaked lullaby that is Leroy Faster.
Catch the Black Lips at London's King's College on May 15th.
Ida Maria: Queen Of The World
Waterfall/RCA; out May 12th
Somewhat irritating 'look-at-me' warbling from the 23-year-old Norwegian nihilist.
You have to fight the urge to say: "that's nice dear, now run along and play with your little friends."
Also released
Ting Tings: That's Not My Name
Columbia; out May 12th
Much-hyped boy-girl duo are confused about identity this week on their second single, oddly remiscent of Toni Basil's Mickey.
Check out the video below:
Chanelle Hayes: I Want It
Emminence; out May 12th
Yes, her out of Big Brother. Prefaced by a fake 'sex tape' and promoted with a video so low-rent it wouldn't make a late-night Five schedule.
Hot Chip: One Pure Thought
EMI; out May 12th
One of the few acts not to have scarpered the EMI premises, Hot Chip continue their quest to abandon all genre constraints with this soothing slice of indie-dance.
Paramore: That's What You Get
FueledByRamen: out May 12th
Still together - just about - the poppy not-quite-emo foursome mesh Suzi Quatro and Avril Lavigne for an undeniably catchy single.
Here's the video: