Rihanna ft Jay Z – Umbrella (Def Jam)

Barbados born Rihanna released Umbrella, the debut single for her album Good Girl Gone Bad (released 9th June 2007) , just 3 months after her second album release A Girl Like Me.
Umbrella confirms the persistence of the rock-hop sound, becoming so familiar in pop music. The majestic vocals over rumbling drum beats in the chorus provide a perfect contrast to the sincere lyrics in the verses. There’s a new found energy in Rihanna’s voice that we might have missed in her previous 2 albums I think it’s safe to say that we’re watching Rihanna’s vocal abilities grow fast!
Rihanna is signed to a 6 album contract with Def Jam records and CEO, Hip-Hop king Jay-Z performs a cameo at the top of the track.
Unfortunately many people seem to be attributing the single’s success in the UK to the apt weather we are experiencing!

 Kate Nash – Foundation (Fiction)

On first hearing this track you will inevitably draw a conclusive comparison between Kate Nash and Lily Allen, if not only because they are both cheeky southern lasses drifting between song and speech, passing cynical, sassy comment on everyday life and relationships. But, be not fooled; there are some fundamental differences. Kate’s image is a lot more cute and her lyrics follow a deeper theme.
This single follows a brutal argument between Nash and her featuring partner as they endure the boredom of each other and the irritations of their judgement of each other.
To check out Kate’s tour dates or pre-order a signed copy of foundation check out www.myspace.com/katenash.

Avril Lavigne – When you’re Gone (RCA)

Lavigne’s 3rd album brings us happily back to the bright and bouncy style that we loved about her first album skater boi and When you’re Gone, the second release from the album provides a refreshing ballad to interrupt all the excitement!
The powerful lyrics and emotionally rich delivery are reflective of Lavigne’s impressive vocal abilities and she’s definitely sticking to her ‘super brat’ image and bubblegum rockpop sound! This is one artist we can rely on to shock us with her attitude and wow us with her melodic prowess.

 Enrique Iglesias – Do you know (Interscope)

Taken from his latest album, Insomniac, the title paying tribute to his ‘impressive artistic persona’. Do You Know has a catchy melody fitting for a summer’s day relaxing in the Sun. The vocals ring true to Iglesias’ affecting vocal style and the lyrics profoundly follow the unfortunate predicament of loving someone who does not return the sentiment without dampening the uplifting melody.
A truly great result of 3 years of song writing!

 Hoosiers – Worried About Ray (RCA)

With a vocal style resonant of Talking Heads and Jeff Buckley, the Hoosiers’ Worried About Ray graces our ears with snappy drum beats and quirky strums of the guitar. The lyrics are surprisingly simplistic for such a serious theme but the surprise is invigorating amongst the sober sincerity of other choices in the UK Top single charts this week.
So let me introduce the Hoosiers!They took their name from the natives of Indiana, they are Irwin Sparkes, Alfonso Sharlondo and Martin Sharendahl, they play ‘odd-pop’ and claim “it’s not rocket-surgery”.
The Hoosiers are yet to release the album for which we all wait with baited breath!