Lamb – Wonder (Mercury)
Wonder is the first single to precede Lamb’s fourth album, Darkness And Wonder (out 03 Nov 03). It’s an elegant wash of strings, harps and guitars in the Zero 7 vein. Vocalist Lou Robinson and production whizz Andy Barlow have been together for eight years now, and recently had a play, Peepshow, based on their songs. The new album promises to be rather fine.

Elbow – Fugitive Motel (V2)
Taken from the Manc outfit’s magnificent second album, this uplifting yet melancholy track contains the spine-tingling lyric: “I’ll blow you a kiss, it should reach you tomorrow”. Brrrrr.

Beenie Man – Bossman (Virgin)
The MOBO nominee for Best Reggae Act teams up with The Neptunes, Sean Paul and Lady Saw for this dancehall groove, taken from his Tropical Storm album.

Eastern Lane – Feed Your Addiction (Rough Trade)
The first single from Rough Trade’s bright young things from Berwick-Upon-Tweed. Typical Rough Trade fair with jangly indie-punk guitars and driving basslines.

Dave Gahan – Bottle Living (Mute)
Depeche Mode’s frontman releases the third single from his Paper Monster album. A pounding blues complete with a wailing harmonica and the tales of an alcoholic.

Matt Walton 24 October 03

All singles released 27 October 03.