reeeeeeeeeeeviews

FERGIE - Glamorous
The second single to be lifted from Fergie’s solo debut album, The Dutchess, is a relaxed R&B tune that’s a contrast to London Bridge. While London Bridge was punchy and in-your-face, Glamorous is slick and smooth, much like Gwen Stefani’s Luxurious, and features clever rhymes from Ludacris, but sadly it's all form and no substance. 2/5

LEMAR - Tick Tock, reviewed by Stacey B
Don’t ever call Lemar boring - his new single shows a light-hearted and more playful side to the former Fame Academy star. Sampling Color Me Badd’s 1991 hit, I Wanna Sex You Up, which sounds like it wouldn’t work, but sounds great with the Londoner’s honey-sweet vocals. 4/5

TINY DANCERS - I Will Wait For You, reviewed by Jenny Wilson
The debut single from the Sheffield-based five-piece is a lively not-so-little number, a glorious mix of choppy riffs and swirling rhythms, with a memorable vocal from frontman David Kay. Their rootsy, country-tinged sound is clearly evident here - you almost expect to see them dancing around the hay bales with straw hats. 3/5

SHINY TOY GUNS - We Are Pilots
As their name suggests, Shiny Toy Guns’ music is glossy and fun, but pretty lightweight. Sonically it’s pop influenced by the 80s golden age, rather than a slavish pastiche, but the lyrics tend to fall somewhere between insubstantial and parodic. Recalling a female-fronted Duran Duran at times, and Peaches at others, some tracks here deserve club success, but the album doesn’t really sustain determined home listening. 2/5

JUSTIN NOZUKA - Holly
Toronto-based Justin is a must-listen new talent. Putting himself into other people’s shoes, his songs tend to be inspired by imagined scenarios. The 18-year-old sings from the perspective of a man stuck at the bottom of a well in bluesy Down In A Cold Dirty Well, and a neighbour overhearing the abusive relationship next door in Save Him. There are also some tender and heartfelt songs like After Tonight, We Were Supposed To Grow Old and Golden Train. An amazing debut, which we played time and again in our kitchen - always the test of a good album! 4/5

STEPHEN MARLEY - Mind Control, reviewed by Jamie Brinswick
Music is a family affair in the Marley family, with Bob’s sons, Damian Junior Gong and Stephen, having both released albums. Mind Control sees a wide blend of reggae, rock, R&B, Nyabinghi rhythms of Rastafari, flamenco and hip-hop, and features collaborations with roots star Ben Harper, Mos Def and of course, his younger brother Damian. Stephen tackles politics in the title track, and Chase Dem. Stephen won’t be living up to the legacy of his famous dad with this album. 2/5