Single Reviews

Song 4 Mutya - Mutya Buena (feat. Groove Armada) (5/5). While the Real Girl album is a disappointment, this single is really great. If, like Pink says, God Is a DJ, then this will be put on heavy rotation this summer. The synth and beat heavy song sounds like it samples everything great about '80s dance music, but I believe it's all original. Love it.

When You're Gone - Avril Lavigne (5/5). "Girlfriend" was a much-needed return to the top of the charts for Avril Lavigne. With that need fulfilled, she can go back to the more serious music we know she's interested in. "When You're Gone" is a lovely rock ballad, perhaps her best yet. I really like the middle section too and credit her for "going for it" and pushing her vocals when so many similar songs would cop out and go for a quiet moment in the middle 8. Like the strings too, very nicely done.

Icky Thump - White Stripes (4.5/5). A great first single from the White Stripes sixth (yes, sixth!) album, Icky Thump, out today. I love how this song transitions through so many different parts, like some sort progressive '70s rock epic.

Like This - Kelly Rowland (feat. Eve) (4.5/5). Kelly Rowland, the other former member from Destiny's Child returns to solo work after a 4-year hiatus. She won us over with "Stole" from her first album, but failed to find a second hit from that set. Back with the first single from Ms. Kelly, due next week, "Like This" is a throbbing can't-help-but-move-your-ass kind of R&B single with a surprisingly pleasing middle section. It's a great return and completely different from "Stole."

People Help the People - Cherry Ghost (4.5/5). This is a lovely, lush British rock track in the Coldplay mold of British rock tracks. It's got a big echoey, Piano-driven sound. They're from Manchester. What's not to like? This is their second single; the album's out in July.

Smokers Outside the Hospital Doors - The Editors (4.5/5). A great return for the Editors, also in that Embrace/Coldplay sort of vein of British rock, with big piano chords and really insistent drumming.

Beautiful Liar (Freemasons Remix) - Beyoncé and Shakira (4.5/5). This song was sort of a letdown in its original version, but this great dance remix gives it a real pulse, turning it into something really fun.

Selfish Jean - Travis (4.5/5). Proves once and for all that Travis isn't all doom and gloom. This is probably the single most uptempo thing I've heard from them, and it's great, really great. Joyous in fact.

Soulmate - Natasha Bedingfield (4/5). After the silliness of "I Wanna Have Your Babies," this dark, tender acoustic ballad harkens to her last album's "I Bruise Easily," and shows off her voice nicely. Unfortunately, I fear she may be the victim of a bit of a backlash at the moment. Too bad, as this is a nice follow-up and something different.

Writer's Block - Just Jack (4/5). "Glory Days" was a letdown after "Starz in Your Eyes," but "Writer's Block" is much better. It opens with some woman muttering about her dreary morning, concluding that "it was pouring with rain and I thought, 'good ole England!'" Funny and cool at once.