Singles

TOMPAULIN: It's A Girls World, (Track & Field)-- Inspired by a teenage girl, too young to get into a Blackburn nightclub, but who every week stood in the same spot outside, watching a drunken world pass by, with just her walkman for company.The irony of the story is backed with downbeat, jangly keyboards and the boy/girl vocals of Jamie Holman and Stacey Mckenna.The B sides of this limited edition single, are two home demos with the final track, My Perfect Girlfriend, sounding like a terrace chant for the Blondie singer Debbie Harry, with a tune which could easily have been improvised around the melody from the Undertones classic Teenage Kicks. (9/10) CL

ASH: Shining Light, (Infectious)--An optimistic change from the band's darker work, as the Belfast quartet return to a more pop orientated sound. Tim Wheeler's dazzling vocals combined with effective guitar rhythms makes the song beautifully catchy. Scoring high marks simply on the feel-good factor alone. (9/10) CC

LOWFINGER: Go Go Me A Big Pop, (Elemental)-- This track reflects Lowfinger's rock, dance and pop influences in one. With heavy bass lines, polished vocals and synthesised effects, but the poor lyrics ruin it. (4/10) CC

PLANET FUNK: Chase The Sun, (Virgin) -- Like DaRude and ATB before them, Planet Funk have created a tune which has a life of its own. With an all-round haunting sound and an ability to stay in your head all day, this is a tune which will be around for a while. (8/10) DH