Singles of the Week #2

KOOKS 'Sway' (Virgin)

Maroon 5-reminiscent, Autumnal mid-tempo offering from Razor-lite stage school chancers. 'Sway', whilst less grating than previous singles is nonetheless lightweight as ever, though with an unprecedented grunge undertone. Nowhere near as bad as 'Shine On', or any of the singles from their department-store soundtracking debut album, each of which were hook-laden in the worst possible sense. Their best single, but isn't the Britpop revival way into 1998 now?

Orson would be proud of this!

6/10


BLOC PARTY 'Talons' (Witchita / V2)

Not these again! 'Talons' is a brand new track, which will feature on the physical edition of the recent inconsistent 'Intimacy' album. Featuring excellent drumming once again from Matt Tong, 'Talons' employs rich production, with minimal keyboard motifs and drum loops married to cinematic guitars, but unfortunately has 'album track' written all over it, as the melody department fails to engage. A Paul Epworth production, though the epic feel would hint at Jacknife Lee's work, particularly with Editors. A fairly standard arrangement, as each section unfolds as you might expect. Yet again incomparable with the early singles, but implemented with more dignity than the last two.

7/10


FLEET FOXES 'He Doesn't Know Why' (Bella Union)

Glowing, almost festive, enchanting single culled from the self-titled debut. A Beach Boys-esque melody gets top marks for infectiousness, executed in the manner of an alternative hymn. Not ground-breaking at all, but it's timelessness earns plaudits, if it does end somewhat prematurely. Falls short of 'White Winter Hymnal' standards, but reassuring to hear justified critical acclaim.

8/10


THE LAST SHADOW PUPPETS 'My Mistakes Were Made For You' (Domino)

Unnerving third single from the precocious duo, lacking the instancy required for single status, though wouldn't sound out of place on a 60's espionage thriller. Opens perhaps ironically with the line 'About as subtle as an earthquake', as it teeters on the edge of a dramatic chorus that never appears. Nonetheless, a solid track from an ambitious if patchy Scott Walker and Love-indebted project.

7/10


NOAH AND THE WHALE 'Shape Of My Heart' (Mercury)

Follow-up to summer breakthrough hit 'Five Years Time', 'Shape Of My Heart' trundles along in a half-hearted indie-pop fashion, whilst it's arrangement smacks of a poppy Beirut, lyrically pondering the topic of heartache via smug vocalist Charlie Fink who annoys rather than convinces, approaching the issue with a limp tweeness where bitterness would work more effectively. Still, childlike enough for Los Campesinos fans and conservative enough for the Radio 1 playlist.

5/10


TV ON THE RADIO 'Golden Age' (4AD)

Typically inventive lead single from new LP 'Dear Science', starting off with a Prince-friendly bassline and shimmering electronic percussion, before a weighty synth lead makes it's presence-felt. Foals may have scrapped David Sitek's work on their debut, but it's gratifying nonetheless to see TOTR's off-the-wall experimentalism seep into the palette of the typically white, asexual UK guitar scene, particularly in the supposed Nu-Rave scene - Late of the Pier being an obvious example. 'Golden Age' is an accessible yet innovative track from an album full of them.

9/10