++SINGLE++ review by Gareth Mytton

Ida Maria, Black Helium, Cut Copy and more - Singles for the week beginning July 21!

Released 1st January 70 on

Gareth Mytton takes us for a drag race around this week's singles, which include the latest garage rock growler from Death Pop Records - and a multitude of other sins...

SINGLE OF THE WEEK: IDA MARIA / BETTER WHEN YOU'RE NAKED (RCA)

Owing as much to the likes of Eddie Cochran as it does to punk, this is a glorious, joyous singalong. Ida doesn’t know what to say or do other than get your clothes off, and her husky vocals fit the sentiment perfectly. A little gem.

"Rock show DJs had better stick to the radio edit..."

BLACK HELIUM / CONSUMED WITH DOOM (DEATH POP)

Rock/Christian Rap/Dutch Pop it says on the myspace page, but 'Consumed with Doom' sticks – fortunately – to the first of these. This features distortion, crunching riffs, howling, a wailing guitar solo, and then a surprisingly sweet harmony as the band come together to sing “Inside, outside, I’m insane.”

CUT COPY / HEARTS ON FIRE (MODULAR)

Giorgio Moroder-esque electropop that would make a perfect soundtrack to any 1980s-themed party you need a playlist for. However, despite the presence of DFA’s Tim Goldsworthy on production, 'Hearts on Fire' just smoulders for a bit before it goes out.

NAPOLEON / SEND ME A WOMAN (MNR)

Jangly guitar pop with a heart of soul, reminiscent of Dexy’s Midnight Runners and Napoleon’s compatriots Peter Bjorn & John. The barking dogs and a spoken word interlude (straight out of the Motown girl group handbook) are both neat.

SCARS ON BROADWAY / THEY SAY (INTERSCOPE)

Suitably apocalyptic stuff from System of a Down members Daron Malakian and John Dolmayan, whose metal roots echo through their first single. Amid the heavy guitars is a part-plea for tolerance. Rock show DJs had better stick to the radio edit.

THE TING TINGS / SHUT UP AND LET ME GO (COLUMBIA)

Or, to be flippant, Blondie – Rapture (the 2008 remix). That said, if Katie White is going to take inspiration from other female singers, Debbie Harry is a good choice. The spoken verse / semi-sung chorus is familiar from 'That’s Not My Name' but not as catchy this time around.

++ Gareth Mytton ++

Artrocker rating: 2

---

---