Singles for the week starting 25 July!

Wild Beasts
Bed Of Nails
(Domino)
* * * *

The Gods can't quite seem to make their minds up as to whether Boy George is a proper music legend or not. In the meantime, here's the sound of Culture Club had they been beamed in from a futuristic city-scape: 'Bed Of Nails' features rolling drums which sound like the drubbing of dark rain on the rooftop, while Hayden Thorpe pulls off a vocal which incapsulates feline sexiness and intimate melancholy. Damn it Jim, those beasts have done it again!
Ric Rawlins

The Go! Team
Ready To Go Steady
(Memphis Industries)
* * *

The reign of Princess Diana - Diana Ross, that is - is nicely echoed by this warmly-produced Motown jingle, which unfortunately suffers a mild case of brewer's droop in the songwriting department. The end result is rather like having The Supremes projected into your living room as digital holograms - it's nearly great but there's something missing.
Ric Rawlins


Psychologist
Propeller EP
(Not Even/Moshi Moshi)
* * *

Patience is rewarded with this EP of minimalist gospel-electro, courtesy of mysterious solo artist Psychologist. The record opens with a few unremarkable, muffled digital blobs. Things soon pick up though, as the title track mixes a sense of early Portishead-style cinematic tragedy with Warp Records-ish experimentalism, electro fireworks and a vocal worthy of Plan B.
Later, '1:1' breaks dark clouds to deliver a fine upbeat chorus, 'Disco At Twin Peaks' strips things back to a raw beat and a distressed soul vocal, while closer 'Seance' bursts into a star-lit minimalist rave. Worth exploring.
Cindy Suzuki

PREVIEW: NOEL GALLAGHER'S HIGH FLYING BIRDS
THE DEATH OF YOU AND ME
(STREAM BELOW)

Despite a hint at Doors-style surrealism, most notably in its carnivalesque keyboard and muted trumpet solo, it's disappointing and perhaps inevitable that Noel's debut single sounds like an acoustic Oasis tune.
'The Death of You and Me' makes Liam's attempt to at least introduce some energy into his debut single seem weirdly commendable. It's common knowledge that Noel wore the songwriting boots in Oasis for the most part - so there's no reason why he should try and disguise it - but this tune is let down by its slow, stomping beat and only medium-catchy chorus.
That said, it's a passable drink-a-long single which could have made a pleasant enough Oasis B-side back in their hey-day.
Cindy Suzuki
Out 22 August