EOIN BUTLER's guide to singles, downloads and free audiostreams

KULA SHAKER

Peter Pan RIP, Strangefolk **

Okay, this appears to be a Kula Shaker reunion record. There are accordions. There are Sgt Pepper overcoats. There are frolicking children for God’s sake. All in all, this would make a lot more sense if the date were April 1st.

JOEL PLASKETT

Through Through Through,MapleMusic Recordings ***

“You be April Stevens, I’ll be April Wine, You be Israel, I’ll be Palestine.” Perhaps not a love written in the stars then from the Canadian singer-songwriter. His album Three to One is released on July 16th.

KATE NASH

Kiss That Grrrl,Polydor *

“She’s instantly . . . more interesting than me, she’s thinking before she speaks.” Yet another irritating single from the phenomenally untalented Kate Nash. Here she’s crying out for reassurance from a hapless boyfriend. If I were him I’d tell her to trust her instincts.

MARK RONSON THE BUSINESS INTL

Bang Bang Bang,Columbia ***

His latest single features a guest appearance from veteran rapper Q Tip of A Tribe Called Quest. Ronson’s third album Record Collection is out in September.

LADY GAGA

Alejandro,Interscope **

In her latest “controversial” video, the pop provocateur du jour simulates sex with lots of men who – wild guess here – probably aren’t all that interested in having sex with girls. If you are neither easily impressed nor easily offended, there really isn’t an awful lot to detain you here. Yawn.

KELIS

4th of July,Interscope ***

With the ink on her divorce from Nas barely dry, Kelis is ready to celebrate her independence. The track itself I could take or leave but her earrings are the biggest I’ve seen in my entire life. God above, it’s like she has a pair of dumb-bells hanging from her ear lobes! This track is taken from the album Flesh Tones.