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KATY PERRY – California Gurls
Virgin Music

It sounds like Katy has been listening to some classic Madonna, there’s an obvious eighties influence here, but it just helps to make this an undeniably catchy tune. Of course the fact that Snoop Dogg puts in an appearance will help appeal to a different audience too. I wasn’t big on her first album, but if this is anything to go by, the second, whilst still likely to be aimed firmly at the pop charts, may well be worth checking out!

THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM – American Slang
SideOneDummy

Those of us who know us well will know that we weren’t the biggest fans of Gaslight Anthem’s debut album, but we’re adult enough to know when we have to change our minds. This new single, while just as obviously in awe to Springsteen as the bands previous work, has much more maturity and shows a band defining themselves (and none more so that lead singer Brian Fallon).

REVERE – We Won’t Be Here Tomorrow
myspace.com/reverelondon

A soaring refrain that isn’t a million miles away from CUTA favourites The Strange Death of Liberal England doesn’t hide the hint of the macabre that lurks at the edge of Revere’s sound like the twitchy beginnings of a twisted smile. A great introduction to a band we firmly believe have everything in place to take it to the next level. Go check them out right now!

BEADS – Evil
Everybody’s Stalking

This Seattle duo write messy tunes on thrift shop guitars, that somehow end up fascinating and just a little bit beautiful. Seattle has long been the launch pad for a wealth of superb musicians. On this evidence Beads aren’t there yet, but there’s enough of a spark to suggest they can step up when the time comes.

ASH – Binary
Atomic Heart Records

Carrying on with their A-Z of singles, Ash release Binary (which, curiously, is technically single Q). Starting with a very eighties sound, before that unmistakable vocal kicks in, this is a chirpy little tune that may well see some chart time through the summer. Certainly it lends itself to days spent at the beach.

WILL AND THE PEOPLE – Mr Sketchy
Myspace.com/willandthepeople

Ditching the jangly sound of their previous releases, there’s more than a hint of ska to this tune, in it’s bobbing beat. Fuelled by a sense of paranoia that offsets the relatively cheery instrumentation, this quirky little tune needs to be heard to be fully understood.

KATRINA AND THE WAVES – Walking On Sunshine
CGB

25 years old this week, the irritatingly catchy jingle warrants a re-release. Impossible to get out of your head once heard (believe me, I’ve tried), but for all that it’s an interesting look back at the charts 25 years ago.