Gary Go Open Arms Single Decca May 11
AFTER a dream start to the year thanks to the brilliant single Wonderful and being thrust into the mainstream when his Take That support slot was announced, London singer/songwriter Gary Go is striking while the iron's hot.
But unfortunately for him, his follow-up is decidedly luke-warm. He's shifted from 'one man Coldplay' to 'one man Snow Patrol', giving epic a good go but falling short of the mark. With a soaring chorus and his boyish, geeky looks, American teen dramas will be crying out for his piano-pop to be the soundtrack to their finales.
His debut album hits the shelves later this month, just before the arena tour. He's going to be massive, so let's hope it's got a bit more life to it.
God Help The Girl Come Monday Night Single Rough Trade May 11
BELLE and Sebastian head honcho Stuart Murdoch has been squirrelled away for the past few years working on this side project - his first new material since 2006's The Life Pursuit. He claims this first single could never have been a B&S song, but with its folkish vocals and orchestral strings, it's hard to completely separate the two.
Former B&S record sleeve star Catherine Ireton's pretty, clear voice brings an even more delicate edge to Murdoch's trademark twee-pop.
B-side, the brilliantly titled Howard Jones Is My Mozart offers a glimpse of the self-titled debut, out in June. With no B&S album on the horizon, this more than makes up for it.
Lily Allen Not Fair Single Regal May 11
AFTER a brief flirtation with a more mature, grown-up pop sound with last single The Fear, Ms Allen quickly settles back into her comfortable, cheeky old ways.
A fast, tumbling spaghetti western intro and tongue-in-cheek lyrics about her boyfriend's performance in bed, it's crude, rude[2026] and really good fun.
Those who long for the days when she waged war on fellow celebrities via MySpace will love it - it's classic, polished Lily.
