New music releases

The Automatic are back (sigh) but wait! They've lost the keyboard player, and overall squeaky knob, Alex Pennie (hurrah!) And so, The Automatic have searched for a harder edge to try and loose their electro pop image. And it seems that they have succeeded. Single 'Steve McQueen' lives up to their promises with a riff that's atypical of the indie bands of late. Keyboards work well with harmonies and thrashy guitars, and although they've never been particularly strong lyrically (see any previous single for reference), this time they power through. A sign of good things to come and, without the squawking, they might just grow into a band you don't have to hate.

David Jordan: Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Prince and Lenny Kravitz' genetically modified, scientifically impossible and illegitimate love child. 'Place in my Heart' is a great pop song with just the right amount of groove (approximately 35%). Delightfully catchy, this is one of those tracks that deserves to be played repeatedly on the radio, till we're sick of it.

*Alliteration warning* Following in the footsteps of family friends the Wainwrights, the son of folk rock royalty Richard & Linda Thompson, Teddy Thompson continues to grow in the right direction with the sumptuous, Orbison-esque 'In My Arms'. Teddy's great but just wait till you see/hear his sister Kami. Oh boy.

This actually might be a half decent track if it weren't for the ear gratingly horrible way that Charlie Xcx pronounces the title '!Franchesckarr!'. But unfortunately she manages to sound like Kate Nash with SARS. This is plastic pop with a techno top, and some remarkably pleasant violins in the verse. We'd love to hear an Olympic commentator attempt to pronounce Charlie's surname.

'Graves' is the third single by Canadian indie rockers Tokyo Police Club from their debut album, 'Elephant Shell'. Upbeat and bright with relentless pulses of guitar, a smattering of keyboard and intense drums are coupled with lead singer David Monk's 'goth-alert' lyrics: "meet me where your mother lies/we'll dig graves on both her sides", 'Graves' is a stand out single from a highly promising band.

Thomas Tantrum: Southampton's twee-pop, internet sensations, name checked by Lily Allen ? Or what would happen if Katie left The Ting Tings to be replaced by Pixie Geldof, going through a bit of an Altered Images obsession? We literally don't know if we love or hate 'Work It'. Let's say we love it, but we reserve the right to change our minds when their E-numbered energy starts to make us feel old.

New artists often wonder what it takes to make it in the music industry. Obviously the first rule is: don't suck. But the second is surprisingly simple: be entertaining. Underground grime star Tinie Tempah gave the best interview when we met him backstage at London's Wireless festival. And as a direct result we haven't thrown his single 'Tears' in the bin. The track rollick's along on a buzzy bassline, with obligatory chipmunk vocals, soulful ladies and Tinie's confident flow. Not bad at all.


» Reviewed by: Tom Bowers
» Talk on the boards