Adele - When We Were Young (Live at the Church Studios)
★ ★ ★ ★
Tobias Jesso Jr and Adele Adkins – the reigning king and queen of not taking break-ups in your stride – have teamed up to write this track, slated for inclusion on the latter's forthcoming 25 album. Given the pair's songwriting proclivities, one might have expected something unspeakably mawkish. Fortunately, there's nary a broken heart to be found here. Though the high note Adkins hits on the 4:30 mark may shatter any glassware in your immediate vicinity.
Missy Eliot - WTF (Where They From)
★ ★ ★ ★
Four years ago, Missy Elliot told People magazine she was so afflicted by the debilitating (and incurable) illness Graves disease, she couldn't even lift up a pen to write a song. Turned out all she was missing was some motivation. "The dance you doing is dumb," the rapper spits on this infectious comeback single. "Sticking out your tongue, girl / But you know you're too young." (Psst... Miley, I think she's talking about you!)
Sunflower Bean - Wall Watcher
★ ★ ★
Sunflower Bean are hotly tipped indie rockers from Brooklyn, whose debut album Human Ceremony is due next February. But forget all that. Look at the cover of their new single. It's is an image that would make school bullies everywhere stop and pause for thought. (The thought in questions being, 'Which one of these hipsters do I want to beat up the most?')
Brian Deady - Clap Both My Hands
★ ★ ★
As possibly the only white Irish soul singer (outside of a Roddy Doyle novel, or an Alan Parker movie at least), high expectations are probably not a burden Corkman Brian Deady has to contend with too regularly. But if this new single is representative of his upcoming album Non-Fiction, then it may be time for fans to get very excited indeed. He plays De Barra's in Cork on December 11th.
