Singles Roundup - 17th August

Excuse me while I warm up, it's been a while since this reviewer last gave the singles releases a once over. Still, a good batch to get the teeth into this week including that long awaited Arctic Monkeys offering, 'Crying Lightning'. (See you down Oxfam for the 7" vinyl version).

Single Of The Week

Arctic Monkeys - Crying Lightning

The first sniff of the Arctic Monkeys ‘new’ sound, honed in the desert with QOTSA’s Josh Homme, You can see the legends are circling already. It’s a bit of a grower this one which soon reveals it’s future classic status, just wait for the chorus. We can only guess whether it was elder brother–in-rock Homme or maybe just a period of self realisation, but these four young men seem to have relaxed a little and become maybe just a little bit comfortable with their roles as international rock stars (not quite Rawk yet but heading in that direction). Accordingly, ‘Crying Lightning’ slithers into action, foregoing their previous slap round the chops approach proving that good thing come to those who wait.

Little Boots - Remedy

Following the initial excitement of her arrival, Little Boots major problem seems to be that we thought she was ‘ours’ when it turns out she is ‘theirs’ (pop hits, glittery costume and all). Despite ‘Remedy’’s classy pop video, the chorus reminds me of nothing less than Steps and that is not good. Wielding a piece of geek chic tech (her ever present Tenori-On) does not make this pop poppet any less lightweight.

Kasabian - Where Did All the Love Go

The second single from their recent ‘West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum’ album, ‘Where Did All the Love Go’ seems like a strange choice for a single release. It starts off well, motoring along in the right direction. The chorus, however, is a bit of a wrong turn, with lyrics that made me think of an Austin Powers musical pastiche “Where did all the love go? / I Don’t know”. They should’ve worked ‘Swarfiga’ up into a full track, two minute odd of speed freak drumming and whoosing noises with Tom shouting over the top would be great. No?

Cougar - Stay Famous

Signed to Counter Records, Cougar have the distinction of being their first foray into post-rock and very good they are too. That said, after the opening 1 minute 10 seconds of build up, I had a horrible fear it was all going to go ‘Pendulum’ and clobber me over the head with some ‘beatz’. Thankfully Cougar turn expectations on their head, dropping things down a level for some chin stroking guitar noodling before the real crescendo appears just in time for the song’s end. Make sure to watch the accompanying video below for some low budget, Creature from the Black Lagoon, action.

Jonathan Jeremiah - What's A Guy To Do E.P.

Kinda split the office, this one. Well, when I say split, I mean I liked it and no one else did. Yeah, JoJe, as I’ll be calling him, is a bit too loungey for his own good but imagine Rob Da Bank playing ‘Happiness’ as a lost classic in the early hours, you’d be right on it no questions asked. Equal parts Demis Roussos, Cat Stevens and Marvin Gaye (and maybe a pinch of Glen Campbell) make this a thumbs up from this reviewer.