Eoin Butler’s guide to singles, downloads and free audiostreams

Scouting for Girls

Famous Epic *

“I can’t act, I can’t dance, I can’t sing, can’t you see?/But I’m young and I’m pretty and that’s all you need.” On the second single from their Everybody Wants to Be on TV album, Scouting for Girls serve up what might possibly pass for incisive social commentary in the Wendy House at a six-year-old’s birthday party. Utter, utter drivel.

THE PIPETTES

Stop the Music

Fortuna POP! ***

This follow-up to The Pipettes’ memorably titled Our Love Was Saved by a Spaceman single is soulful dance pop of the type Moloko once excelled in. The band’s second album (Earth vs The Pipettes) is out in June.

THE PLEA

Nothin’ But Trouble

RS Records ***

The hairy Donegal rockers are an odd fit for Belgian dance label RS (the former home of Aphex Twin). Nothin’ But Trouble, their signature tune, now features on the latest 2FM ad campaign. Livin’ the life – lovin’ the gloomy introspection!

TOMMY TURBO & THE TURBERVILLES

(Her Name Is) Sophie

Sons Ltd ***

“Her name is Sophie, not that it matters to me.” This three-piece northern soul throwbacks from Stoke-on- Trent are recommended, not least because their name made me laugh.

STORNOWAY

I Saw You Blink

4AD ****

The cerebral indie-folk four- piece tour Ireland later this month (see interview, page 4). Interesting factoid: the title of this song is percussively transmitted in Morse code within the recording, using a guiro, which is a notched gourd commonly found in Latin American rhythm sections. Yeah, I bet the girls go crazy for these guys . . .

DIANA VICKERS

Once

RCA **

On her debut album (Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree) the former X Factor finalist makes a play for indie credibility, with Ellie Goulding, Patrick Wolf, Lightspeed Champion and, er, Snow Patrol drafted in. Her vocal mannerisms, though, remain something of an acquired taste.