Eoin Butler's guide to singles, downloads and free audiostreams

ALPHABEAT

Boyfriend

Copenhagen Records

****

Boyfriendis one of those cheesy pop songs that's so infectious it actually puts a spring in your step. The air suddenly seems cleaner. Food tastes better. The accompanying video to this, meanwhile, nods to everything from Madonna's True Blueto Peter Gabriel's Sledgehammer, from home-taping to Kathy Bates in Misery.

JACK JOHNSON

Sleep Through The Static

Universal

**

Jack Johnson is the sort of music middle-class couples put on at dinner parties to fool their friends into thinking they're hip. And Sleep Through the Staticis the sort of song Jack Johnson writes when he wants to hoodwink his fans into thinking he has some insight into world affairs.

It's an empty charade, on both counts.

DAVID BANNER

Shawty Say

Universal

Not even a guest spot from Lil' Wayne (whose recent hit Lollipopis also sampled here) can rescue this mess. As a rapper, David Banner sucks harder than a black hole. You wouldn't like him when he's bad etc, etc.

THE HOLD STEADY

Slapped Actress

Rough Trade

****

The Hold Steady's brand of boozy, blue-collar rock is probably too derivative for them ever to be considered among the true rock greats. But one thing Craig Finn sure appreciates the value of is the kick-ass album closer.

This track (inspired by John Cassavetes's 1977 film Opening Night) is exactly that.

THE SCRIPT

The Man Who Can't Be Moved

Sony BMG

 **

Here's the skinny: having been dumped by the girl of his dreams, Dubliner Danny O'Donoghue seeks to woo her back by the highly unorthodox gambit of moving to a street corner and becoming a bum. Essentially, this is the pop-rock equivalent of one of those god-awful chick flicks one is occasionally forced to sit through on long plane journeys. (Think Will Smith or Bill Pullman as the romantic lead.)

It's trite. It's unbelievably sappy. And it's likely to be a humongous hit.

SCOUTING FOR GIRLS

It's Not About You

Epic

**

"It's not about you, it's me . . ." If you've ever been dumped by someone so crass and unimaginative that they actually used this line, then here's your chance to relive the experience: in crappy Britpop-revival style.