Latest releases reviewed
RACHEL STEVENS
Negotiate with Love
19/Polydor
**
When it comes to luurrve, the ex-S Club 7 girl doesn't negotiate, as her LA ex discovered. Rach's new tune is written by Swedish synth-poppers Vacuum but, thanks to some squiggly bits and a nice, retro guitar lick in the chorus, it doesn't completely suck.
ANGELS OF MONS
Highs and Lows
Thrashing Geisha
***
Who needs Kaiser Chiefs? Here's Dublin's own lords of laddish 1990s-style rock, with a skankin' tune from their album, Last of the Dead Empires. By the way, the band got their name from a strange episode during the first World War, when "supernatural forces" intervened in a battle. Spooky.
MARIAH CAREY
It's Like That
Island/Def Jam
**
"I came to have a party/Open up the Bacardi." Crazy Carey is all blinged-up and ready for fun and frolics, with a Kelis-type crunk 'n' booty shaker featuring Fatman Scoop. Welcome to the Satin Quarter.
GARBAGE
Why Do You Love Me?
Warner Bros
**
All hasn't been rosy in the Garbage camp, with reports of tantrums and tiaras during the making of their new album, Bleed Like Me. This one harks back to their guitar-driven debut, before they went all plastic and poppy.
ESTELLE
Go Gone
V2
***
The West London MC has borrowed Lenny Kravitz's band to re-record this stompin' Motown-flavoured tune which showcases her soul power vocals. I can go for that.
KYLIE
Giving You Up
Parlophone
***
Oops! She did it again. Following her Scissor Sisters-written I Believe in You, here's yet another chart-seducing smash, and already we can't get it out of our heads. That's why she's playing five nights at the Point in April - so she can fit all her hits in.