It’s gotta be Talons from the brand new Bloc Party album Intimacy. Principally because it seems to really divide opinion between those who think it’s a studiously pretentious rip off of the mid 90’s sound with added plaintive wailing…and those who think it’s like Mogwai with melody. I fall into the camp of the latter, although many would rather I fell into a chemical abyss and never darkened their thought processes again. But that comes with the turf. Whatever, the point is, this music generates opinion and passion, which is more than you can say for The Feeling. So go listen and you decide. Whichevere way you go, it’s a valid opinion reached by an open mind. Well done you. Oh, and I’m open to love/hate mail…..

Damn but summer demands a motown beat, doesn’t it?
Luckily, Gotye knows this golden rule, and has kindly supplied us with one in this single taken from his album Like Drawing Blood.
For those of you who remember the deconstructive tuneful chaos that was The Avalanches, you’ll be delighted to hear they have a successor in this young chap from down under. That’s Australia, not some east end of London club. Spector beats, Supremes melody and production all his own - this is one of those tracks that you may have to pull your car over for, for fear of contravening some uptight road safety regulation. You know, like enjoying driving, or humming along to a modern day pop classic…..

[youtube

]

 It’s time another quirky, left field pop princess graced our eyes and ears, I mean, let’s face it, Bjork’s finally crossed over into the land of the medical supplies supplement reader, so it’s only right a new lady should step up. In fact, Bjork thinks so too. She called Mica after one of her gigs and told her the crown was hers for the taking…OK, she did call her, but I don’t think a crown was mentioned…Suffice to say Mica writes left-field pop tracks as well as composing for orchestras including the London Philharmonic Orchestra. She’s got a debut album out in October, and whilst she’s a great producer in her own right, she’s been canny enough to get Matthew Herbert on board for producer help. With Bat for Lashes and Saul Williams already swooning, enjoy her current single now and start saving for October. It’ll be worth it…

I am relentlessly listening to Lykke Li at the moment… odd name, Swedish bird, but stonking album, stonking in a gentle sense, her voice is girly… she uses it in almost a childlike manner… enough to put anyone off! But really, its a beautifully built song and creeps into your mind in a gentle smiley kinda way…