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features /  music column
editor content by: editor
singles and downloads
singles and downloads
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This week, Joe roots around in his sack.

A pretty dry week for singles-hunters, unfortunately. The music business is still nursing its New Year's Eve hangover, banking on the fact that most people have blown their HMV vouchers and are trudging their way to payday with tragic, mothball-filled wallets. Still, if you've hit the jackpot while rooting around down the back of the sofa, there are a handful of musical delights on offer.

If you fancy a bit of widescreen My-Bloody-Valentine-meets-Madlib-meets-Sun-Ra action (and what sane person wouldn't?) then set a course aboard your musical boat for the wondrous Be With EP (Stones Throw/PIAS), by one-man aural science laboratory Koushik. Listening to his heady, woozy soundscapes at volume induces a sensation not dissimilar to that experienced when getting out of the bath too quickly. And you can't really ask for much more than that.

What else, what else? (Roots around in singles sack.) Why, here's Big Chill faves Lemon Jelly with The Shouty Track (XL), the second single lifted from their forthcoming 64-95 album. The title's a slight misnomer - if you're expecting Fred and Nick to have “done a Slipknot” then you might be a touch disappointed. However, if it's the pair's usual deft and understated magpie-like sample manipulation you’re after, then this is manna from heaven. And, as ever, the packaging is from the topmost drawer.

Hal - not the murderous computer from 2001, but an Irish quintet - offer up What A Lovely Dance (Rough Trade) for your perusal. It's a sweeping, cruisin’-on-that-ol’-highway number that’s destined to bring about much lighter-waving when Hal play Wembley Arena this time next year, having become elephant-sized massive. Betcha.

Aaaand finally, 21-year-old London-based renaissance man, Patrick Wolf, announces his arrival on the main stage with the beautifully constructed Libertine (Tomlab) - not, we don't think, about tabloid favourite Pete Doherty, as great as that would be. Pat (as his mum possibly calls him) combines elements of classical music, electronica and straight-up acoustic strummery to create a genuinely unique sound. If this single floats your boat then keep an eye out for his debut long-player, Wind In The Wires.

Unfortunately, free downloads are as thin on the ground as new singles this week. It seems that music as a whole has placed a “back in five mins” sign on its door. Fret not, though. February's looking absolutely chocka with quality product.


Joe Madden 24 January 05
All singles are released on 24 January 05.
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stones throw
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xl recordings
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delaysrough trade
label profile

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