EOIN BUTLER'Sguide to singles, downloads and free audiostreams

JORDIN SPARKS

SOS (Let the Music Play)

Jive**

“Just get the groove and he’ll come back to you again . . . ” In 2008 Jordin Sparks wondered how she might breathe with no air. It transpired that she couldn’t. But she could get over those petty relationship woes by just pulling herself together. A year later she’s discovered how to avoid suffering such heartache again. Jordin’s solution? It’s complicated, but it boils down to lots of sexy dancing. Well, we live and learn.

EDITORS

Papillon

Kitchenware Records***

Bombast and self-importance, although hardly appetising, are at least digestible when the artist responsible is regularly packing out stadiums. Until Editors do so, though, there’ll always be a vague air of the emperor with no clothes about them. Papillon sounds like Scott Walker fronting The Human League – something not even Henri Charrière could pull off.

THE VERONICAS

4Ever Warner**

“Come with me we’ll make this night last forever,” they gleefully promise. Uh, I think you already have, girls; this song is three minutes of my life I’ll never get back.

WHITNEY HOUSTON

Million Dollar Bill Arista Records****

She’s been through the wars through the years but, incredibly, age and addiction appear not to have ravaged Whitney Houston. The song climaxes with Whitney, Monty Burns and Waylon Smithers flying to Havana to be duped out of their loot by Fidel Castro. Okay, I made that last bit up.

LEONA LEWIS

Happy Syco**

The first single from Leona’s second album (Echo) is, incidentally, not a cover version of the Keith Richard classic from Exile on Main Street. Yip, I’m pretty gullible when it comes down to it.

DELORENTOS

S.E.C.R.E.T.****

Holy crap! One approaches reviewing singles by well-known Dublin bands with a certain trepidation. (What if it’s no good? What if I run into them at Centra?) No such worries here. Delorentos’ comeback single is insanely good fun, with an excellent video by Eoghan Kidney. On this evidence, not breaking up was possibly a very smart move!