J Hus
Common Sense,
Black Butter
Help J Hus celebrate hitting No.6 with his debut album by spinning its lead track, which is more summery than a paddling pool filled with Mr Whippy.
Contact Imran Malik
malik@imran-malik.com
Naomi Punk
Tiger Pipe,
Captured Tracks
The first taste of an upcoming double LP from the Olympia, Washington punk freaks, this somehow manages to straddle discordant and sedative.
Contact Keong Woo
keong.woo@goodmachinepr.com
Sparks
What The Hell Is It This Time?,
BMG
A mad, theatrical song now has a mad, theatrical video to go with it. But best of all are the jagged electronic bedrocks underneath the melody.
Contact Asher Alexander
asher@republicmedia.net
Downtown Boys
A Wall,
Sub Pop
Drums like cascading rubble and parping brass can only mean one thing: the Rhode Island punks return. This, from their Sub Pop debut, is huge.
Contact Joe Parry
joe@insideslashout.com
Katy Perry (feat. Nicki Minaj)
Swish Swish,
Capitol Records/Virgin EMI
K-Pez ushers us into the club, but what’s inside? A housey beat, the odd euphoric drop and fire-breathing rap dragon Nicki Minaj.
Contact Janet Choudhury
janet.choudhury@umusic.com
Selena Gomez
Bad Liar,
Interscope/Polydor
What’s this? Yes, it’s a pop song that requires some thought. The verses wirggle just out of reach, the chorus is oddly slow and the result is superb.
Contact Stephanie Duncan-Bosu
stephanie.duncan-bosu@umusic.com
Sløtface
Magazine,
Propeller Recordings
Pop-punk doesn’t come much more convincing than this these days. Magazine is made for Tipp-Ex’d backpacks and battered Vans.
Contact Thom Denson
thom@braceyourselfpr.com
