Singles for the week starting 5 September!

Seize The Chair
You Who
(Too Pure Singles Club)
* * * *

A Blondie indie-disco groove propels this ranting little anthem along, courtesy of a “band with more violent sex appeal than a Steven Segal movie” (charming!) It may be too early for Christmas, but there’s a certain upbeat cosiness to the tune which will go down well over a mulled wine or five.
Cindy Suzuki

Austra
Spellwork
(Domino Records)
* * * *

‘Spellwork’ is the third single to be lifted from Austra’s highly acclaimed debut ‘Feel It Break’. Starting off with the kind of sound I associate with fairy dust being sprinkled, the song takes a dark turn as Katie’s spine tingling, ethereal vocals kick in. Although comparisons have been drawn with the likes of Bat for Lashes, this Canadian three piece are clearly inspired by eighties synth-pop bands; the melodies here remind of this remind me of Depeche Mode in their darker moments. ‘Spellwork’ was my first introduction to Austra and after hearing it I went straight out and bought the album - you should too.
Mark Cousens

Okkervil River
Your Past life as a Blast
(Jagjaguwar)
* *

‘Your Past Life as a Blast’ is the third single to be taken from Okkervil River’s sixth album ‘I Am Very Far’, and on the strength of this the negative reviews aren’t totally surprising.
It starts off quite well; with singer Will Shelf singing in couplets to a fairly subdued backing. As time goes on the music picks up a little but there’s no progression - where it sounds like they’re going to build on the foundations, it just ambles aimlessly until it finishes. The more melancholic B-side ‘Gold Faces’ is much the same. Disappointing.
Mark Cousens

The Vaccines
Norgaard
(Columbia)
* * *

It’s difficult not to get too distracted when reviewing a single in which the muse is a pale skinned, blonde haired model from Denmark, but I tried my best.
Amanda Norgaard has obviously had quite an effect on lead singer Justin Young, as he documents his unrequited lust and her undoubted appeal. At just over a minute and a half the song is short and sweet with a guitar as sharp as the Dane’s cheekbones. Norgaard gives all that’s needed from a good indie pop song, and everything you’ve come to expect from The Vaccines.
Joe Woolmer

Battles Ft. Gary Numan
My Machines
(Warp Records)
* * * * *

Bowie’s 1997 drum ‘n bass album ‘Earthling’ wasn’t an unqualified success (though it had moments). Here, on the other hand, is another ‘70s alien pop star blending glam vocals with paranoid melodies and furious drums to exquisite effect. Along with ‘Sundome’ and ‘Ice Cream’, this counts as a definitive highlight from ‘Gloss Drop’.
Danny Canning

Novella
The Things You Do
(Dirty Bingo)
* *

After a promising guitar-led intro overloaded with reverb, it doesn’t take long to realise that Novella’s debut single fails to hit the mark. Like a wet Bank Holiday weekend, it’s just a little too predictable.
An all-girl three piece kitted out with a drummer for live shows, their influences include Broadcast and My Bloody Valentine; further raising the anticipation of something special. The soft vocals are adequate and fitting by all accounts, but there are no distinctive qualities to the singer’s voice, or indeed the band’s music.
Joe Woolmer
Out Now

The Victorian English Gentlemans Club
As Jungle Drums Rang Loud Across The Amazon (We Held Our Heads And Screamed)
(This Is Fake DIY)
* * * *

The second single from TVEGC’s new album ‘Bag Of Meat’ is a double play, including another track from the album; ‘Richer Than My Tribe’. Personally I feel the B-side is a much stronger song, but the track order is understandable: ‘As Jungle Drums...’ is a simple and accessible entry into TVEGC’s interesting fusion of post-rock, punk and pop. However, it is ‘Richer Than My Tribe’ that has caught my ear and convinced me to pry further into the Cardiff based trio’s world, ending as it does with a gloriously distortion-heavy, bass-driven sonic assault that leaves you pining for more.
Joe Woolmer

Bearsuit
Princess, You’re a Test
(Fortuna POP!)
* *

Easily digestible, quickly passed, synth-pop tailored to the dance floor from the Norwich. ‘Princess, You’re a Test’ is a convulsive drive over the titillating territory of similarly fun-loving festival favourites like The Go! Team. Not surprisingly then their producer, Gareth Parton, has a hand in Bearsuit’s latest album ‘The Phantom Forest’ from which this twee, albeit palatable, number is lifted. As one of the less attractive tracks from the recent album, one mourns the acerbic humour of 2006 single ‘Steven Fucking Spielberg’ or farcical melodrama (a la Chicks on Speed) of ‘When Will I Be Queen’.
Steph Kretowicz

Evans the Death
I’m So Unclean
(Fortuna Pop!)
* * * *

Tautology or not, bands like London’s Evans the Death make ‘punk pop’ a legitimate sub genre. Absorbing lead vocalist Katherine Whitaker’s classic 70s vocal with cleverly assembled lyrics, ‘I’m So Unclean’ runs on a frenetic bass, furry guitar and crash-heavy percussion. The racket of their musical style reflects a state of mind in lyrics about the realities of modern youth, as Whitaker characterises a nervous breakdown with a suitably numbing portrayal: “so I stare at the cat for a while/ the minutes have changed into miles, and I’m too tired to walk.” This is a wonderful marriage of converse elements elegantly crafted into its own neat mess.
Steph Kretowicz

Rapids!
Fragments EP
(Heist Or Hit)
* * * *

Likably hot-footed and subliminally euphoric indie disco here, from a band that has had the gall to review our magazine on their website! The worm may have turned but you’ll be relieved to know we got 4/5 – and we’re happy to return the favour on this EP.
‘House of Sand and Fog’ suggests Brian Eno getting his ambient mittens on early Bloc Party, while ‘LittleBlood’ mixes up the smouldering guitars of The Cure with the relationship paranoia of His ‘N Hers Pulp.
Elsewhere, highlight ‘Nameless/Faceless’ goes all Edge on our ass, as delayed guitars punctuate a neon highway atmosphere (one for a night-time drive, that). Passions run into overdrive on EP closer ‘Statuesque’, which trips up over its own anxious energy before dissipating into a puddle of acid rain.
Ric Rawlins

Emika
Pretend/Professional Loving
(Ninja Tune)
* * *

Rubbery glitches explode, sci-fi racing cars speed past and church synths hover above in the entirely futuristic, minimalist dance tune ‘Pretend’, which could convincingly soundtrack an erotic exchange between cyborgs. Meanwhile on the other A-side, the soberly titled ‘Professional Loving’ cuts a lonesome and coolly existentialist figure, with icy handclaps, ghostly pianos and a Portishead-esque, melancholy vocal. Chilling.
Danny Canning

Ultrasound
Welfare State
(Label Fandango)
* * * *

A warm welcome back for epic misfit-rockers Ultrasound here, with the kind of climactic, minor-key chorus they’ve always done so well. “We were away for a while, but then we were never in style” sings Tiny – accurately! – among references to Jeremy Kyle, a massive space-noise breakdown and lots of do-or-die dramatics. Underdog pop a la carte – bring on the album.
Ric Rawlins