nuts4chic UK Online Womens Lifestyle Magazine

Santana

:: SANTANA - All That I Am
Santana just keeps on surprising us with his ingenuity. All That I Am features collaborations with some of today’s hottest artists from all genres like Mary J Blige, Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, Joss Stone and Black Eyed Peas’ Will.I.Am. From the opening strumming of Hermes to the final Tu Amor, each song is uniquely different and proves that Santana is a talent that’s here to stay.

Daniel Rachel

:: DANIEL RACHEL - Pearl

Northern pop is often reminiscent of the 80s and Daniel’s new single is no exception. This uplifting brass-led soul stomp is about a girl leaving the familiar for a life of the unknown, and is a refreshing taste from manufactured songs. You can also check a sample for free from the website (www.danielrachel.com).

Pras Michel

:: Pras Michel - Haven’t Found

In the great tradition of hip hop former Fugee Pras tries to shoehorn and old song, here a female vocal of U2’s I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, into a hip hop track. It doesn’t work this time and comes of as a little cheesy. But sure to be a massive hit.

JEM

:: JEM - Wish I

The UK buzz surrounding Jem has really grown in these few months. You’ll recognise Wish I as the theme tune to Celebrity Love Island, with its distinctly Caribbean feel and easy-listening nature. With previous hits like They, and Just A Ride, it’s obvious Jem is a strong talent not to be reckoned with.

::David Gray

:: David Gray - The One I Love

Those expecting another piano ballad from David Gray as he makes his return to the charts will be disappointed. The One I Love is a surprisingly upbeat, punch-the-air anthem that will sound great live. But David’s distinctive vocals still give it his trademark melancholy edge.

Goldfrapp

:: GOLDFRAPP - Number 1
While not likely to hit the chart position its title suggests, Number 1 is another slice of pop genius from Goldfrapp, taken from their recent album Supernature. It’s a much more gentle affair than recent single Ooh La La with a synth line that washes over you as gently as Alison’s perfect voice.

Ryan Leslie

:: RYAN LESLIE - Just Right
He may be unknown in his own right, but Ryan has already had the honour of penning hits for Beyonce and Britney Spears. Featuring a rap from Snoop Dogg, Just Right is his debut single, and was originally a bootleg. The heavy beat makes the song worth listening to.

Ian Brown

:: IAN BROWN - The Greatest
The Greatest features the best tunes picked from the musical icon’s four solo albums since leaving the Stone Roses. Never one to boast of his iconic status, highlights include My Star, Love Like a Fountain, and F.E.A.R. The new singles All Ablaze and Lovebug show his career isn’t coming to an end just yet, and that his star should carry on burning just as brightly as ever.

Uniting Nations

:: UNITING NATIONS - One World
You either hate or love Uniting Nations. Their so-called endorphin-inducing feelgood tracks, such as Out Of Touch and You And I, can be annoying after a while so would you really want to buy a full album of tracks from Daz and Paul? The choice is yours - but for me, it’s music to cover your ears to.

Break up songs

:: VARIOUS - Break Up Songs We’ve all been down and depressed after a relationship ends. Chocolate and ice-cream therapy helps, as does feeling sorry for yourself while listening to sad songs. Sob your heart out to George Michael’s I Can’t Make You Love Me and Robbie Williams’ Eternity, or get bitter with Meredith Brooks’ Bitch. Just don’t keep it on repeat...

Robbie Williams

:: ROBBIE WILLIAMS - Intensive Care Don’t let Tripping fool you. Far from being a reggae album, for Intensive Care, Robbie has looked to the 80s for inspiration with nods to the likes of ABC, Duran Duran and The Smiths. It’s all quintessentially Robbie, however, and while it’s a marked progression from his work with former songwriting partner Guy Chambers, his new stuff with Stephen Duffy certainly won’t alienate the fans.
Institute

:: INSTITUTE - Bullet-Proof Skin Institute has been created by Gwen Stefani's husband, former Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale, and this new four-piece sees him staying true to his rock roots. Bullet-Proof Skin features a stop/start guitar riff behind Gavin's distinctive gravel-coated vocals. Definitely worth a listen, even if you're not a rock fan.
Sheryl Crow

:: SHERYL CROW - Good Is Good Sheryl returns after the double platinum success of her greatest hits collection with a brand new song that fails to make the impact of previous singles. Good Is Good gently strolls along and, while it's pleasant enough, it seems a bit Sheryl-Crow-by-numbers. Would have been better as an album track rather than a single.
Simple Minds

:: SIMPLE MINDS - Black & White 050505 Most famous for the 80s hit, Don't You (Forget About Me), the Scottish band who defined the generation are back - and what a surprise. Sounding every bit as good at the height of their fame, Black & White 050505 is strong, with the epic anthemic sound embodying everything the band were revered for. Best tracks include Home, The Jeweller (Part 2) and Dolphins

Pharrell Williams

:: PHARRELL WILLIAMS - Can I Have It Like That
Pharrell’s new solo single, Can I Have It Like That, features one of the coolest ladies in pop - Gwen Stefani. In true Pharrell style, the track features a down and dirty rolling bassline and loads of ear-licking beats. You can’t beat the combination of Pharrell and Gwen, so this is a winner in every way.

Coldplay

:: COLDPLAY - Fix You

Already a huge fan favourite at live performances, Fix You is Coldplay doing what they do best. Starting simply with a hymnal organ and Chris Martin’s voice, it swells into the sort of hairs-on-the-back-of-the-neck song.
Will Champion’s drumming heralds the powerful finale, and all four members help on vocals.

Richard Hawley

:: RICHARD HAWLEY - Coles Corner

Coles Corner, the follow up to previous albums, Late Night Final and Lowedges, is a beautiful album, filled with nostalgia, emotion and romance from the Sheffield singer and songwriter. The album’s orchestral splendour sits alongside earthy rock and roll with songs that are by turns intimate and soaring. Definitely worth a listen if you fancy something different.

::McFLy

:: Wonderland - McFly

The McFly boys say this is a more mature sound for their band and it is, to an extent. While some of the songs here are very McFly in sound, their songwriting skills have improved vastly. What’s most surprising about Wonderland is the impressive level of musicianship on show. McFly certainly aren’t going to be a flash in the pan band.

Electric

As an antidote to all those cheesy dance compilations, Electric is perfect. With no sign of any Uniting Nations, this compilation is full of more alternative dance and electro music from the new (Mylo, Soulwax) to the old (Underworld, The Orb) and the older (New Order, Gary Numan).

Burt Bacharach

:: BURT BACHARACH - At This Time
If you think Burt Bacharach is classic love songs and easy listening anthems, then think again. Set to mellow beats, loops and stirring melodies, At This Time is a more political album, featuring unlikely collaborations with cutting edge stars like Dr Dre and Rufus Wainwright. A huge change from the man who gave us standards like Walk On By, What The World Needs Now Is Love and Close To You - but it works.

:: SWITCHFOOT

:: SWITCHFOOT - The Beautiful Letdown
Radio friendly rock from four San Diego surfers? It's surprisingly good. From the opening punch of Meant To Live to the keyboard driven ballad of On Fire and Twenty-Four, from the Maroon 5 sing-along-ability of Gone to the punk feel of Ammunition, this is beguiling, infectious and compelling.