Single of the week

Cobra Dukes – Leave The Light On (Breastfed)

This lot are a proper indie dance band, and there are more about on the scene these days than you can shake a drum stick at. But there are some necessary requirements needed: Young and shaggable? Tick. Quality production and sense of musicality? Tick. Shape throwing remixes to boot? Tick. It's David Bowie meets Mylo on a crystal meth allnighter. Marvelous.

STAG CHOICE


Best of the rest: Caspa Codina 'Technology' (Stop/Start) George Demure 'My Baby's Gone (Tirk/August Day) Midnight Mike 'Midnight Karaoke' (Republic Of Desire)


Album of the week

Sara Berg - When I Was A Young Girl I Used To Feel Pleasure From Playing With Others (Gaymonkey)

Sara Berg - the head honcho behind Stockholm's burgeoning independent imprint Gaymonkey Records, needs to learn how to edit down her album titles, but that aside, 'WIWAYGIUTFPFPWO' (seriously) is a fine slice of electronic pop music which would make her Swedish ancestors Abba blush with envy. The slick production and her angelic bluesy vocals make this perfect coffee table listening. And her live performance isn't bad either - imagine a cross between Billy Ray Martin and Annie Lennox and you're almost there. Stand out track: 'Babies & Beautiful Things'.

DOVE CHOICE

Best of the rest: Superthriller 'Superthriller' (Mint) The Glimmers 'Eskimo Volume 5 (Eskimo) Swayzak 'Some Other Country' (!K7)

5 Tunes selected and reviewed by Melnyk

Canadian electro-pop starlet Jeff Melnyk has made some serious waves since his arrival in the UK five years ago. As well as running his own label, Gaymonkey Records, and releasing music under moniker Melnyk, he has produced music for the great lounge-crooner Louie Austen and remixed some band called the Pet Shop Boys.

 

1 - Sara Berg - 'Hold On' (Gaymonkey)
This is a hauntingly gorgeous track about coming to terms with your emotions and making that first step. It’s for those of us out there with unrequited love who are aching to tell someone how much we adore them. Of course this has never happened to me! Everyone loves me!

2 - The Beloved - 'Found' (WEA)
Nearly every track off their album 'Happiness' found its way onto a mix tape in my youth. This one is the most appropriate for our love song mix - a summery, sickly-sweet perfect pop love song. We are all looking for someone - when we find them, the feeling is truly indescribable. I am lucky to have found mine. In fact, I'm going to give this mix tape to him later.

3 - Bruce Springsteen - 'I'm On Fire' (Columbia)
Don't tell someone you love them - let the Boss do it in under three minutes. 'Sometimes it's like someone took a knife - edgy and dull - and dug a six inch valley through the middle of my soul'. Now that's what I call desire.

4 - Kings of Convenience - 'I'd Rather Dance With You' (Source)
I'm really not one for talking out my emotions - words just get in the way and can never really convey everything. These Norwegians have a better idea - let's dance! This one always comes out for a little samba around the front room with my honey.

5 - Louie Austen - 'I Ain't Much' (Klein)
This is a track that I wrote with Louie for his new album 'Iguana'. It has some good strings - essential for most love songs - and it conveys what most men want to say to their prospective lovers: 'I'm not much, but here I am. Take me if you will'. I think that type of vulnerability can be incredibly attractive.

Gigs for your diary:

Friday October 5th: Bang Bang Kiss Kiss @ 93 Feet East, 150 Brick Lane, London E1. Free before 8.30pm/ £8 after.
Electro post-punk outfit Spektrum perform live at this hip East End venue. And you can smoke outside!
Info

Friday October 19th - Night People @ 229 Great Portland Street, London W1. £8/6. 7-3.
Live performances from the Friendly Fires, Hiem, Paris Trading and George Demure, plus DJ action from Rob Mello and friends.
Info