Eliza Doolittle – “Mr. Medicine” (Parlophone)
I could take or leave a lot of Eliza Doolittle’s previous releases – they were certainly pleasant enough, but there were no remarkable elements within her song writing, instrumentation or vocal abilities. I have really warmed to “Mr. Medicine” however, perhaps because this song has a slightly more contemplative, sober element to its lyrics. The melody is appealing and catchy, and Doolittle’s vocals are clearly accomplished and well captured throughout.
Friends – “Friend Crush” (Lucky Number)
Yet another fantastic band from Brooklyn, Friends have an irritatingly un-googlable name, and even more irritatingly, they only formed 6 months ago and they already have a single out. Phah, eh? This single is excellent though, with African inspired rhythms, rich, effect-laden, ethereal female vocals, underwater guitar sounds and a lo-fi vibe. Friends have an infectiously cool aura about their kooky-pop music, which is warm, friendly and measured. With hints of The Tom Tom Club and cute, self-conscious lyrics, this single deserves a lot of attention.
Friends - Friend Crush by LuckyNumberMusic
Bad Stuff Released 21st March 2011
Usher – “Hey Daddy (Daddy’s Home)” (LaFace)
Ah Usher - filling a million women’s ears with lyrics based around phrases muttered during drunken foreplay. I have never been a big fan of the usage of ‘Daddy’ as a sexual term, and throughout this track Usher manages to solidify any feelings about the term being a bit dirty and messed up perfectly. In Usher’s world, EVERYTHING is related to sex, not just relationships or women generally, but mundane things like work, a hotel lobby, collecting a package, sitting on a chair… its all fucking filth to him. So with this single expect a gross amount of moist lips and ladies bottoms, coupled with the words flexing, sexing, loving, hot, ladies and work-it. I mean seriously – who the fuck does Usher think he is, the sex messiah? Like most ladies-men, he is so intensely arrogant and self-involved I doubt he could ever truly satisfy a woman, inside the bedroom or otherwise.
