Singles Out Tomorrow

Despite myself, I can’t help but think Fergie’s debut single “London Bridge” (***) is actually not that bad, thanks to its Hollaback Girl style chorus which firmly lodges itself inside your brain. It may be a chav anthem in the making but considering the Black Eyed Peas are probably the most irritating musical act of recent times, it could have been a lot worse.

Single of the week, without a shadow of a doubt, is the superb comeback from Jamelia, “Something About You,” (****) which veers away from the R&B pop of her first two albums, and instead goes for the ubiqutuous Kelly Clarkson pop-rock sound while cleverly still sounding fresh. She definitely is one of the best pop stars we’ve got at the moment.

Elsewhere, in a poor week for singles, only the bizarre “We’re from Barcelona” (***) by I’m From Barcelona, is worthy of any attention. Sounding like a Swedish Polyphonic Spree, it could have come direct from some 80s cheesy musical but is ultimately uplifting and insanely catchy.

US R&B girl group Cherish’s debut single “Do It To It” (*) has no discernible tune whatsoever and only makes you long to have someone half as good as TLC or Destiny’s Child back. Lostprophets, the emo band it’s ok to like, return with their second single, "A Town Called Hypocrisy" (**), but after the pretty good “Rooftops”, this time, it’s a case of same old, same old. The kids TV-inspired video is a lot more fun.

Jill Scott’s superb vocals aren’t enough to save Lupe Fiasco’s lazily sampled “Daydream”, (**) Get Cape Wear Cape Fly's "The Chronicles Of A Bohemian Teenager" (*) is as pretentious as its title suggests and The Guillemots "Train To Brazil" (**) is a disappointing follow-up to the superb "Made Up Love Song #41."

And finally, I’ll be surprised if anyone can actually notice when Katie Melua’s “It’s Only Pain” (*) is actually playing. So utterly non-descript, this is background music of the worst kind. She is capable of coming up with some really charming if twee acoustic easy-listening sometimes but this is just rubbish.