Singles Round Up: Strokes - Under Cover Of Darkness

Strokes - Under Cover Of Darkness
Dan: After a five year hiatus, punctuated by the odd solo album, and a smattering of live appearances, this is the big return of the Strokes. Under Cover Of Darkness is the first release from the highly anticipated album Angles which is also out this week. So how is it? Well, pretty bloody good actually, the Strokes' trademark sound is there, and no-one does it better than them, it's a hugely assured, precision piece of garage rock.
» Strokes - Under Cover of Darkness on iTunes


Justin Bieber ft. Jaden Smith - Never Say Never
Dan: The Biebster brings in 12 year-old Jaden Smith "raised by the power of Will" for this sub-anthemic theme song from Jaden's recent Karate Kid remake. Nothing is impossible is the message, you can achieve your dreams. Which is true, at least for these precocious little whelps, who will never learn the true misery of life and all its little disappointments. Not that I'm bitter.
» Justin Bieber ft. Jaden Smith - Never Say Never on iTunes

Eliza Doolittle - Mr Medicine
Bobble: OK Doolittle, I wasn't too kind about your album but I've grown accustomed to your face. That wasn't supposed to be a My Fair Lady reference, but it'll do. Mr Medicine's a bit bland at the start, but kinda nice by the end. Not a bad effort, by any means - if you're easily offended, this is a safe haven.
» Eliza Doolittle - Mr. Medicine on iTunes

Jeremih ft. 50 Cent - Down On Me
Bobble: This is another slow burner - starts pretty poor but by the time it's into the Soulja Boy-stylee "Hey!" backing vocals and electronica voice effects it's doing good things. Expect to hear it from the back seat of the top deck of your morning commute bus for five or six weeks, then never again. Unless you're the kid who sits there, in which case make this your ringtone - now!
» Jeremih ft. 50 Cent - Down On Me on iTunes

The Vaccines - If You Wanna
Dan: On the evidence of this track I'm a bit underwhelmed by The Vaccines. I've been vaguely aware of all the hype in recent months, but I've deliberately avoided hearing them til now. I was expecting some sort of Ramones style punk-rock with attitude, but this, well this is a little bit wet.
» The Vaccines - If You Wanna on iTunes

Mike Posner - Please Don't Go
Bobble: This sounds a bit like someone farting into a kazoo, and I think the only place it would live up to its full potential is on a 6am dancefloor - 2am just wouldn't cut it. If you're a house party kind of person, stick this on your playlist late into the night and annoy the hell out of your neighbours. At least it's not Mr Brightside.
» Mike Posner - Please Don't Go on iTunes

Susan Boyle & Geraldine McQueen - I Know Him So Well
Dan: And finally, following on from last night's Comic Relief appearance, Peter Kaye returns in the guise of nation's sweetheart Geraldine McQueen. It's not quite up to the same standards (comedic or musical) as Is This The Way To Amarillo, but it's not bad at all, and for a good cause too.
» Susan Boyle ft. Geraldine McQueen - I Know Him So Well on iTunes