By Mikey (Gullingham, Kent, UK)
RECORD OF THE WEEK
Will Young - Your Game A big bluesy and jazzy number for Will Young 'Your Game' is a great record, his second single taken from his studio album 'Friday's Child'. How can you review a song like 'You Game', it's a masterpiece, it's a classic, its addictive, and a very catchy number and Will hits all the right notes in the right places. This song will get you in the mood for a quick two-step number, and leave you wanting more, and if you want more, well get the album what's stopping ya. A surefire hit for sure, and this is different from any other singles he has released destined for the No.1 spot.
HOT SHOT RECORD
Keisha White - Watcha Gonna Do Fresh from supporting Mis-Teeq on their UK theatre tour last year, 17 year old Londoner, Keisha White looks set to be the next British act to blow up in your face on the Urban scene. Her rock-infused debut single 'Watcha Gonna Do?' with a touch of R&B added to the mix, its sure gonna make one hell of a debut single for Keisha. It's a real teenage anthem, and the perfect showcase of a voice that you're going to be hearing a lot more of in the near future. Love this record to bits, another fresh face to the music scene and her music suits her voice. Go babe!!!
Nelly Furtado - Try Nelly Furtado's second single 'Try', is taken from her second studio album 'Folklore'. This is a sweet ballad, and the lyrics to the single are written to perfection, you hear Nelly's voice that the words are given deep meaning to the song, which makes it a well-written song. If anyone has not got her album 'Folklore' you are missing out on one hell of a good album, most of the songs on the album are awe-inspiring, far better than her debut album 'Whoa! Nelly'.
Delta Goodrem - Throw It Away 'Throw It Away' is Delta's new single taken from her groundbreaking selling album 'Innocent Eyes', unfortunately there is no promotion work or video for the single, the single could chart in the lower regions of the single charts, making it the poorest single that she has released so far. But the good news is, she has began on recording her new album to be release later on, in the year, hopefully with some live appearances on our TV screens. As for the single, its one of the standout tracks on the album, a heart-warming power ballad to lift your spirits up.
Alistair Griffin - You And Me (Tonight) 'You and Me (Tonight)' is Alistair's follow up to his top five hit single 'Bring It On'. It's another self-penned track, which showcases a love ballad of epic proportions. Unquestionably 'You And Me (Tonight)' marks a notable improvement from his rather hum-drum debut single. As one tends to expect from reality TV shows, the track is a guitar & piano-backed ballad, but it's nicely vocalised nonetheless.
Haven - Wouldn't Change A Thing It's been awhile since we heard anything new from Haven and their new single release 'Wouldn't Change A Thing', its a stunning new single from Haven taken from their forthcoming album 'All For A Reason'. A classic tune that recalls the Doves at their magnificent best, 'Wouldn't Change A Thing' is set to put Haven back firmly on the map with this brand new release. Give rock music a chance, just listen and let it take you to heaven.
The Killers - Somebody Told Me 'Somebody Told Me' is the Killers debut single, it's rocky and its very catchy, I quite like this, the new Evanescence of 2004. This is just brilliant its a rocky heady mix of eighties synth-pop, with the likes of Poison and Rainbow with blistering vocals and catchy hooks it is one of the best singles of the year. Keep an eye on this new rock outfit - The Killers, they will be headlining major festivals during the summer and hoping big things for them.
Courtney Love - Mono With about as much drama and anticipation as can be expected with anything Courtney Love seems to be involved in these days, the lead single from her soon to be released debut solo album 'America's Sweetheart' is upon us.... and it's a disappointingly average affair. Like a swirling banshee trying to catch its own tail 'Mono' has plenty of huff and puff but expends most of its energy going nowhere. Still in fine voice, with her distinctive punk rock growl sounding as visceral as ever, the track doesn't lack volume; it's just a shame she forgot the hook.
Katie Melua - Call Of The Search Katie Melua second single 'Call Of The Search' taken from her groundbreaking best selling album of the same name. How can you fault Katie by having a No.1 album and becoming a mega star out of nowhere in a spate of 6 months, her feet has barely left the ground. Obviously she is going to be compared to Norah Jones, which is no bad thing, Norah Jones has a huskier, more distinct voice but Katie has more range. Katie Melua is a real young talent artist who deserves the respect that she gives to her music and her new single is about to do the same.
N*E*R*D* - She Wants To Move The latest salvo from the inescapable Williams, Hugo, Overdrive comes courtesy of their own personal vehicle, N*E*R*D*, and despite their own efforts to sabotage the track, 'She Wants To Move', it works. Pharrell doesn't sing as much as one would expect, leaving room for the duo's signature production to take the spotlight. It's a solid strategy, given Pharrell's penchant for awful lyrics like, well, "Her ass is a spaceship I want to ride." The backdrop, of course, doesn't disappoint, encapsulating the energy of a live funk band with tribal drums, Van Halen-aping guitar solos, handclaps, Spanish guitar and piano flourishes, taken from their studio album 'Fly Or Die'.
Nickelback - Feelin' Way Too Damn Good The Canadian Rockers Nickelback are back with their rock tinted new single 'Feelin' Way Too Damn Good' lifted from their new album 'The Long Road', which sounds a little bit like their best selling single of 2002 'How You Remind Me'. This is classic overbearing power ballad that will have you lifting your lighters up in the air while you're swooning over your lover.
Seraphim Suite - Heart Seraphim Suite are dance gurus, Jeremy Healey & Amos and featuring soul diva Mica Paris on vocals. This dance track is not bad at all actually, it's more like a dance ballad and it's quite an infectious little song, it sounds like an old Culture Club song, as if Boy George is actually singing on it, but he's not. Surprisingly Jeremy Healey is a member of Culture Club, that's probably the reason behind this little infectious production, which gives the single for its notable sound of Culture Club. Seraphim Suite's 'Heart' sees Mica Paris along with the London Community Gospel Choir providing soulful vocals over soaring strings. Already a big tune with Radio 1 DJ Pete Tong.
Usher ft. Lil Jon & Ludacris - Yeah He conquered the world with 'U Make Me Wanna' and 'Pop Ya Collar', and now he's back. Already taking the US by storm, 'Yeah', Usher's take on the crunk sound which is blowing up in the clubs, is the first single from his long-awaited new album 'Confessions', and features guest raps from Ludacris & Lil' Jon. This is one song that is guaranteed to get you on the dancefloor, actually this is not a bad song, and it's got a catchy hook to it.
OTHER SINGLES RELEASED THIS WEEK
Aloud - Bob O'Lean
Aqualung - Easier To Lie
B3 - Night Fever / I.O.I.O.
Bell X1 - Alphabet Soup
Bronx - They Will Kill Us All (Without Mercy)
Bucci Bag - More Lemonade
Calvin Richardson - I've Got To Move
Chikinki - Like It Or Leave It
Counting Crows - Hanginaround
Cypress Hill - What's Your Number?
Daniel Wylie - Make Love To The World
Dashboard Confessional - Rapid Hope Loss
Dead Prez - Hell Yeah
Four Tet - My Angel Rocks Back And Forth
Frances Rufelle - Smile
Happylife - Way You Hate Me
Kraftwerk - Aerodynamik
Lauren Waterworth - Butterfly Kisses
Lautrec ft. Terry Hall - Things
Mark Joseph - Bringing Back Those Memories
Moguai - U Know Y
Mum - Nightly Cares
Powderfinger - Love Your Way
Skylark - That's More Like It
The Age Of Jets - Rpm
The Distillers - Hunger
Single Release Schedule
March 22
Agnelli & Nelson - Holding On To Nothing
Aloud - Bob O'Lean
Amen - California's Bleeding
Anastacia - Left Outside Alone
Billy Talent - Ex
Blue - Breathe Easy
Datarock - Computer Camp Love
Frances Rufelle - Smile
Go Home Productions - Pistol Whipped EP
Grand Transmitter - Under The Wheel
I Am Kloot - From Your Favourite Sky
Kanye West - Through The Wire
Keys - From Tense To Loose To Slack
Kid Symphony - Meet You On The Other Side
Laura Veirs - Cloud Room
Missy Elliot - I'm Really Hot
Mountaineers - I Gotta Sing
Needles - Under The City EP
Outkast - The Way You Move
Pink Grease - Fever
Seal - Waiting For You/Love's Divine
Sherbet Antlers - Hikikomorai/Let Yourself Go
Sleepy Jackson - This Day/Come To This
So Solid Crew - So Grimey
South - Colours In Waves
Sugababes - In The Middle
The Darkness - Love Is Only A Feeling
The Delays - Nearer Than Heaven
The Divine Comedy - Come Home Billy Bird
The Generator - Where Are You Now?
Travis - Love Will Come Through
X Is Loaded - Laugh, Point & Wave/The Start Of Everything
March 29
Alicia Keys - If I Ain't Got You
Art Brut - Formed A Band
Atomic Kitten - Someone Like Me/Right Now 2004
Basement Jaxx featuring JC Chasez - Plug It In
Beyonce - Naughty Girl
Boxer Rebellion - In Pursuit
Dilated Peoples featuring Kanye West - This Way
Engineers - Home
Evanescence - Everybody's Fool/Imaginary
Fefe Dobson - Everything
G-Unit - Wanna Get To Know You
Gary Jules - Broke Window
Glitterati - Here Comes The Close Up EP
Hawksley Workman - We Will Still Need A Song
Hayley Westenra - Wuthering Heights
Hazel O' Connor - One More Try
Iron Maiden - No More Lies
Lulu - Keep Talkin', I'm Listening
Mad Action - Just Like Fresh Air
Martin Solveig - Rockin' Music
McFly - 5 Colours In Her Hair
Michelle - The Meaning Of Love
Norah Jones - Sunrise
Ohm - Forget Who We Are
Pet Shop Boys - Flamboyant
Plummet - Cherish The Day
Reactor - Feeling The Love
Scissor Sisters - Take Your Mama
Shania Twain - She's Not Just A Pretty Face
Simply Red - Home
Slides - Can You Feel It?
Sophia - Oh My Love
Stylus Junkies vs UB40 - Food For Thought
Surferosa - Lucky Lipstick
Tejo, Black Alien & Speed - Follow Me, Follow Me
The Distillers - Hunger
Twista - Slow Jamz
April 5
Amy Winehouse - In My Bed/You Send Me Flying
Bellefire - Say Something Anyway
Big Brovaz - We Wanna Thank You
Blueskins - Stupid Ones
Dark Globe - Break My World
Dogs Die In Hot Cars - God Hopping
Drowning Pool - Step Up
Honeyriders - Colours
Janet Jackson - Just A Little While
Jersey Street - Love Will Be Our Guide
Jody Lei - Just The Music
Kotipelto - Reasons
Muse - Sing For Absolution
My Chemical Romance - Headfirst For Halos
Narcotic Thrust - I Like It
Neo Cortex - Elements
Ordinary Boys - Week In, Week Out
Paul Van Dyk - Crush
Polly Paulusma - Dark Side
Robin George - American Way
Seachange - News From Nowhere
Snow Patrol - Chocolate
Special D - Come With Me
The Bandits - No Shoes On My Feet
The Offspring - Can't Get My Head Around You
The Rasmus - In The Shadows
The Zutons - You Will, You Won't
Wiley - Wot Do U Call It?
April 12
Agnetha Faltskog - If I Thought You'd Ever Change Your Mind
Air - Surfing On A Rocket
Amplifier - Neon
Ashanti featuring Blackchild - Break Up 2 Make Up
Busted - Air Hostess
D-Side - Pushin' Me Out
Dido - Don't Leave Home
Eamon - F**k It (I Don't Want You Back)
Engineers - Home
Frankee - F.U.R.B F**k You (Right Back)
JC Chasez - Some Girls (Dance With Women)/Blowin' Me Up
Jessica Simpson - Take My Breath Away
KoRn - Y'all Want A Single
Living Things - I Owe
Madrugada - Majesty/7 Seconds
Maroon 5 - This Love
Oceanlab - Satellite
Pete Doherty & Wolfman - For Lovers
Polly Paulusma - Dark Side
Simple Kid - Staring At The Sun
April 19
Boogie Pimps - Sonny
D12 - My Band
Deepest Blue - Is It A Sin?
Franz Ferdinand - Matinee
Fraud - On To You
Gemma Fox - Girlfriend's Story
Hal - Worry About The Wind
HIM - Solitary Man
Jesus Jones - Culture Vulture EP
Kelis - Trick Me
Lasgo - Surrender
Pink - Last To Know
Scooter - Jigga Jigga
Shonagh Daly - All I Want
The Calling - Our Lives
April 26
Ash - Orpheus
Emma Bunton - Crickets Sing For Anamaria
Ian Van Dahl - Believe
Jaimeson featuring Xara - Common Ground
Keane - Everybody's Changing
Louise - Bounce Back
Natasha Bedingfield - Single
The Streets - Fit But You Know It
Twen2y4se7en - Hide
May 3
Acoustic Love Experience - Painted Pony
Avril Lavigne - Don't Tell Me
Buddahead - When I Fall
Joss Stone - Super Duper Love (Are You Diggin' On Me?)
The Corrs - Summer Sunshine
The Charlatans - Up The Lake
May 10
Alanis Morrisette - Everything
Chikinki - Ether Radio
James Fox - Hold On To Our Love
Morrissey - Irish Blood, English Heart
V - Blood, Sweat And Tears
