THE NEW CASSETTE KIDS SINGLE IS EVEN BETTER THAN THEIR LAST.

I caught the Aussie four-piece live the other night supporting for Calvin Harris here in Melbourne (review and pics of the Calvin portion tomorrow), where they showcased a mixture of older songs with some as-yet-unreleased material from their upcoming debut album, Nothing On TV.

“Spin”, single number 2 from the record in question, has a VERY big chorus; it’s like throwing Roxette, No Doubt and Ladyhawke into a grinder and serving the result in a glass full of ice. Incredible.

The video clip was shot this week in Melbourne, but until that’s made available on the web, you can hear “Spin” in full over on the bands MySpace.

http://www.myspace.com/cassettekids/

Cassette Kids are shaping up to be one Australia’s greatest hopes, not only for 2010, but beyond. “Lying Around” should have been bigger than it was, and “You Take It” remains an important staple in Australia’s Indie-pop scene.  Their debut EP We Are STILL gets spun frequently on my stereo, and now there’s “Spin”, an accomplished and sophisticated slice of infectious pop music that somehow trumps all of their already stellar work. It’s also a song about songs, one of my favourite topics in Pop.

To top it all off, not a single one of the members is very ugly at all, are they?

The cover-art for the new Goldfrapp single, “Rocket.” Looks like Xanadu meets this, doesn’t it?

After the wondrous, demure subtlety of Seventh Tree (which seems to have gone over most peoples heads), Goldfrapp return in 2010 with this; a phenomenal slice of Xanadu-pop that puts the already large-headed Alison Goldfrapp on an even bigger pedestal.

“Now that I’m here, now that you’re near… in Xaaaanaaaaaduuu.”

Phenomenal. Everything about this new phase in Goldfrapp’s history feels bigger. “Rocket” is a truly majestic pop song with major everything; verse, chorus, structure, synths, everything about it is breathtaking.

They never cease to amaze me even more with each project. Here’s the album sleeve for the released-in-March “Head First.”

See? Majestic.

Hopefully I’ll see you there.

She topped the BBC’s Sound of 2010 list and xolondon’s been (rightfully) banging on about her since October last year. It’s probably about time I said something about Ellie Goulding.

I’d listened to a few of the leaked Ellie tracks in that time, liked what I heard, but didn’t really return to them until last week. Driving in my car, I’d just uploaded a Goulding playlist to my iPod on a drive down the coast… And I have to say that, honestly, that was the first time I really listened to Ellie Goulding. I listened to every word and it wasn’t long before I was intoxicated by her voice and her stories.

I’m a sucker for strong, powerful and – more often than not – sad lyrics, I’m sure I’ve said it a hundred times. Ellie’s way of story-telling is incredibly emotional. The songs have this gorgeous folk foundation, but then have this slightly tarted-up electropop tinge as well.  You can bop to the beat and cry all at the same time.  And then there are the lyrics, in particular those from my favourite of the available tracks, “Guns + Horses.”

“And let’s join forces. We’ve got our guns and horses. I know you’ve been burned but every fire is a lesson learned.”

“But I wish I could feel all it for you. I wish I could be it all for you. If I could erase the pain, and maybe you’d feel the same. I’d do it all for you. I would.”

And then there’s the excellent “Under The Sheets”, which has its own telling and biting story told through the chorus.

“We’re under the sheets and you’re killing me. In this house made of paper, your words all over me.”

“Where did the people go? My hands are empty. You’re not the answer, I should know. Like all the boys before, like all the boys before.”

Magical.

Ellie’s debut album is released on March the 1st this year. I eagerly await its arrival because, lyrically speaking, we could have another Lungs on our hands.

Last night I had the privilege of sitting with Rogue Traders co-founder James Ash and having a listen to a bunch of demos for the bands upcoming album, their fourth overall and their first since Natalie Bassinghthwaighte’s departure.

Here’s the thing; it’s really, really good. Some of these unfinished demos sound more fresh and exciting than most of the things on the charts at the moment; I’d even go as far as saying there are some moments so spectacular that they trump certain key-points found on the bands last two albums.

All the stories you’ve heard about it being a dance record are bang on. If you were at all deterred by lead single “Love Is A War”, then you’ll be pleased to know it’s probably one of the less instant moments among the new tracks.  It’s also the least straight-up-dance moment as well; there are spikey club-cuts throughout, with mild nods and references to everyone from Blondie, Phil Oakey, the Sugababes (v2.0) and even Madonna. In fact, the new Rogue Traders album is a bit like Richard X meeting up with Rachel Stevens and Lene Lovich in a thumping nightclub.

“Ease Your Mind” is, as James described it to me, like the Sugababes having it off with Justice. Think of “Whatever Makes You Happy” and then essentially times it by 10. One of the more instant moments, the glam-rock meets synth-overdrive of “Would You Raise Your Hands”, was an immediate favourite and is about musical snobbery. It’s a tongue-in-cheek, arms-aloft club-pop banger that smells like a hit single.

“Skyline” – although sounding nothing like it – is the albums answer to “In Love Again”, in the sense that it’s dreamy electro-pop with EXCELLENT lyrics. There’s also “Girl In Gold”, which is Ash’s tribute to Debbie Harry from Blondie (he told me he was staring at a poster of Deb as he penned the chorus – amazing), “America”, “So Lonely” (inspired by Britney Spears) and “Ease Your Mind.” All very, very good.

And what about Mindi Jackson, the bands new vocalist? Can she fill the shoes left vacant by Natalie? More than capable, actually. It doesn’t take long to hear that Jackson’s voice is stronger and has a lot more texture than Nat’s does; the vocal arrangements on the album are more complex and a little more experimental – a definite plus. I’ve said before that Mindi’s voice reminds me of Lene Lovich; add a very young Gwen Stefani, No Doubt-era into the mix as well. I’m actually REALLY looking forward to seeing Mindi perform with the band for the first time live on stage.

So in summary, If you were at all worried about the album; don’t be. Whether your worries were spawned by the idea you felt they couldn’t go on without Natalie, or because you didn’t quite like “Love Is A War”, cast them aside.  It’s okay to be wrong sometimes and in this case, you are.

This album will change peoples minds about the group. Within a few minutes of hearing it I’d almost forgotten about the bands past; it is ALL about the future from now on in.

UPDATE: Album Teaser available on TheirSpace.

Incredible picture via Leo Reynolds.

I NEVER do this kind of thing (well, not online anyway) – but this story is too good not to share, and was told to me around this time last year. One year on won’t hurt, right?

Female Pop Star #1 was resting in an OS airport lounge, when another, younger female pop star and admirer, Female Pop Star #2, asked her people to talk to #1’s people about a meet and greet.

Furious to be woken, Pop Star #1 struts over to an excited Pop Star #2 and says the following.

So. You’re that Wog that thinks she can sing.”

And then Pop Star #1 turns around – and walks off, returning to her sleep.

If you guess correctly in the comments, I won’t publish it.

So that’s how you’ll know if you were correct.

Snap. That was fun.

I keep forgetting to mention, you can follow me on Twitter.

Probably not worth it though.

Speaking of Twitter, look at this.

http://raraahahahromaromamagagaoohlala.com/

Best Website Ever.