bombay bicycle club, stalkers, late of THE pier and more! - THE singles reviewed by xx teens

SANTOGOLD / LIGHTS OUT (LIZARD KING) Richard: I thought that was a bit disappointing, after their last song which was a nice pop smash. Anthony: It’s a really nice melody in the chorus, very beautiful. It’s probably not the strongest track on the album, but she’s probably released those ones already! LATE OF THE PIER / HEARTBEAT – FLICKER (PARLOPHONE) Richard: I like the ending. It really rocks! Anthony: I thought it was interesting. I’d heard some of their other stuff and was worried that they’d turned a bit rubbish… I wasn’t sure if there was a label trying to turn them into ‘the next Klaxons’ or something. Richard: They are the next Klaxons! Anthony: Well, you know how these things work. THE VERVE / LOVE IS NOISE (PARLOPHONE) Richard: I was glad to see they’d sampled robot children. Anthony: The song was appalling. Absolutely appalling. Richard: His voice sounds like Ian McCulloch! In fact, the whole song sounded like Echo and The Bunnymen. But not in a good way, unfortunately. GRAMERCY ARMS / AUTOMATIC (REVEAL) Richard: It would be very good if it was a joke song. But it’s not a joke song, so it’s… eh, shit. Anthony: I agree. It sounds like it’d be the theme tune to that comedy programme… what’s it called? Jesus, my memory has been erased by the trauma of listening to The Verve and Gramercy Arms! Smack My Pony. LITTLE BOOTS / MEDDLE (50 BONES) Richard: When it started I got quite excited because it had nice sounds, the synths sounded good and the beat sounded interesting. But then when the vocal came in I got less excited. And as the song carried on I got even less excited. And then I wanted it to stop. Anthony: I like the beats and the synths too. The voice wasn’t the greatest voice in the world…. Richard: It sounded too familiar. Anthony: Hey I’m talking here! But I did like that thing she did at the start where she goes “Uhhrrr”. How would you describe that noise she makes? Editorial Assistant: A lazy sexual croak perhaps? Anthony: Yes. Thery’re not my words, they’re yours, but I’m agreeing with them. A lazy sexual croak. Richard: A lazy sexual croak? Are we talking about the same song here? Anthony: Uuuhhhrrr! That’s a lazy sexual croak. I think there were some interesting things in the song, and some remixes could be done that would work out quite interestingly…