Latest singles reviewed
GIRLS ALOUD
The Show Polydor
***
Looks like their 15 minutes is far from up yet. The girls have cranked the synths up to 11.975, thrown in some toxic beats, and gone louder than a hen party in Temple Bar. Totally atomic.
KYLIE
Chocolate Parlophone
**
We just can't seem to get Kylie out of our bed - here she is again, horny, heavy breathing and overdosed on helium. But would you kick her out of bed for eating chocolates?
GEORGE MICHAEL
Flawless (Go to the City) Aegean/Sony
***
Clever George has sampled The Ones' club hit Flawless, put his own stamp on it, and guaranteed himself a place on the dancefloors this summer. Can't fault him for that.
BLACK EYED PEAS
Let's Get It Started A&M
**
This is the official anthem for the US basketball playoffs, so the globetrotting rappers bring out the slam-dunkin' beats and tough-talkin' lyrics.
22-20S
Shoot Your Gun Heavenly/EMI
****
Bazooka beats, sharp-shooting guitars and hair-trigger vocals power this bullet-ridden single from the Lincolnshire trio, leaving Black Rebel Motorcycle Club for dead. And the g-word will annoy the reactionaries.
BELLE & SEBASTIAN
Wrapped Up in Books/Your Cover's Blown Rough Trade
***
B&A fans and librarians will drool (ugh!) at the prospect of this double A-side from the fey pop collective. Books is a bit Adrian Mole, but six-minute epic Your Cover's Blown is a good, solid spy novel.
TIMBALAND & MAGOO
Indian Flute ft Raje Shwari & Sebastian Blackground
**
Bollywood style and bhangra beats are all the rage, so it's inevitable that the hip-hoppers would start hijacking Indian culture for an easy hit. Next: Ali G and Kula Shaker, with Eminem doing a Peter Sellers impersonation.
