New singles, by Ric Rawlins
GABRIELLA CILMI Save The Lies 8/10
The Aussie sounds lean, mean and keen to show you a good time. Combining Sugababes production values with a tune that echoes Kylie & Robbie's Kids, it's pop with attitude.
RICHARD WALTERS Brittle Bones 6/10
He may be pals with Supergrass, but this Oxford lad needs to cheer up. This is a slightly above average Buckley ballad, crooned with fragility and most likely inspired by introspective doom.
KIDS IN GLASS HOUSES Saturday 3/10
Imagine Busted trying to do serious. Now imagine them being commissioned to soundtrack a Frosties advert. Now imagine something far more satanic, and you're still not close to the horror of these gargantuan twerps.
THE RYES How Come Loretta 7/10
Sharing the freshness of Mystery Jets, these chaps are intent on putting a spring in your step with their indie-bop. And, by George, it works.
BETH ROWLEY Sweet Hours 7/10
Treading a slightly mellower path than the Winehouse, this is crooning, old-school soul nonetheless. Rowley sounds gentle yet tough, as she leads us though a Commitments-esque ballad.
OH, ATOMS Sugar Mouse 5/10
The ingredients are all here: lush summery vocals, jangly guitars set to "lazy mode" and subtle production. Alas this song from Angus Thongs & Perfect Snogging feels a bit too play-safe.
HEARTBREAK We're Back 6/10
Unintentionally amusing synthpop with a tinge of Depeche Mode fuzziness thrown in. Sebastian Muravchik comes across like a theatrical loverman, luring us into his world of women, danger and fine wines.
ESSER Headlock 8/10
If Danger Mouse was given the keys to Nu Rave, he might come up with this hilarious and vibrant cut of Nintendo-pop. It tickles all the right spots.
TREMORS World Won't Stop 7/10
A curious juxtaposition here, as the East London posse mix up machine gun guitars with breezy melodies. Add to this a few blasts of The Edge and some art-punk hysteria on the outro, and it's pretty successful.
BIG LINDA Phill Savidge 6/10
Beware the speeding train - this is a lively rocker with unfortunate similarities to late '90s Billy Idol. Still, it has fire in its belly.