Suede - everything will flow (nude)
OK, so I'm biased, but I love Suede. As each single goes unappreciated and commercially unsuccessful, my adoration never once wanes. 'Everything will flow', the third single from their "Head Music" LP, is a sumptuous stringy affair complemented by Brett's delicious vocals. This will probably bomb in the charts thanks to pimply-faced Ronan Keeting clones, but who cares?
Are we dancing? More of a swaying motion, methinks.

Catatonia - londinium (Blanco Y Negro)
Not one of the stronger potential singles on "Equally cursed and blessed", but catchy Catatonia fare nonetheless. Cerys has protested that this is not a London bashing song, despite the anti-metropolis lyrics.
Are we dancing? To Catatonia, always, but bring the handbag.

Maxim - my web EP (XL recordings)
'My web' proves that Maxim is a lot more than just a spoke in the Prodigy wheel. This EP is everything you'd expect it to be. Pounding, atmospheric, dark, and more laid back than former Prodigy outings. Maxim's inventive use of samples and tight production places him at the forefront of where it's at in underground hip hop.
Are we dancing? Rather a mellow affair this one - it's hard to smoke with a joint in your hand.

Pet Shop Boys - I don't know what you want but I can't give it anymore (emi)
'I don't know what you want...' marks the return of the Pet Shop Boys to the scene, following their lengthy absence. Despite some less than scorching reviews, this is impressive stuff showing that the boys haven't lost their edge. The lyrics aren't exactly mind-blowing, but were they ever? 'I don't know...' has a nice keyboard line, a catchy dance beat with a Robert Milesy midsection, which you'll probably either love or hate.
Are we dancing? Like it was the 80s all over again.

River - blinded by the sun (Rockaway Beach Ltd)
Sounding not unlike the once influential, but now seemingly defunct, Live, River's collective mission is to "bring emotion back into rock and roll music". As rock goes, it's not bad, but it's nothing new either. Undeniably passionate, but ultimately a run of the mill, affair.
Are we dancing? If such a thing is possible.

Younger Younger 28s - next big thing (Vivid imaginations)
Heavy on the cheese Harry! This is St. Etienne meets Aqua with a sprinkling of the Human League if you can imagine such a hybrid. The more you listen to this the more awful it gets. Presumably Younger Younger 28s have more to offer given certain music magazine's adoration, but for the moment I'm not impressed.
Are we dancing? If you have no cheese allergies then be my guest.

Basement Jaxx - rendez-vu (XL recordings)
Disco revival is big business. What with Earth, Wind and Fire getting a re-release, last summers classic, 'The music sounds better with you', not to mention Basement Jaxx massive 'Red Alert'. The follow up 'Rendez-vu' seems likely to cause a storm on the Ibizan dance floors this summer. Amix of Spanish guitar, vodocorder vocals and hectic baseline, you can believe all the hype about Basement Jaxx.
Are we dancing? Are we wha'!

Brian - turn your lights on (Setanta)
Brian, a.k.a Dubliner Ken Sweeney, is refreshingly understated. Despite releasing his debut "Bring Trouble" to buzzing critical acclaim, current single 'Turn your lights on' is unpretentious. Sounding at times like Prefab Sprout or Electronic, this is easy listening with an edge. Definitely one to invest your pocket money in.
Are we dancing? Not exactly a big dance tune, but giving it a go may produce interesting results.

Breakbeat Era - ultra obscene (XL recordings)
Oh yeah. Now this is more like it. Pounding bass looped around erratic beats and sultry lyrics. Sounding slightly reminiscent of Tricky's 'Black Steel', with moments of PJ Harvey and a Sneaker Pimps sound. Breakbeat Era is the much-awaited collaboration of Roni Size, DJ Die and Lennie Laws.
Are we dancing? With all the sweaty enthusiasm you though you had outgrown.

Spearmint - sweeping the nation (real time)
The follow up to 'It won't be long now', 'Sweeping the nation' is a dedication to all bands who never get airplay. This is catchy pop at its freshest sounding. Sweeping the nation begins as one of those talky songs, but bursts into a soully riff, displaying Spearmint's growing confidence in their own greatness.
Are we dancing? Well in a kind of Smith's shuffle and a silly grin.

Brassy - I can't wait (Wiiija)
Before even listening to Brassy I had a feeling it was going to be cool. Even the cover displays a throwaway cockiness with names such as 'So hot it hurts'. 'I can't wait' is slightly hip-hop, slightly punk, always funky. Brassy work because they have a combination of slinky rap as well as the captivating vocals of Muffin Spencer. And they know it.
Are we dancing? Providing you're not dead your toes will be twitching.

Pachinos - B.O.M.B (Rockaway Beach Ltd)
I find it very difficult to rate these guitar-based records. So many of them sound the same, but still, I don't want to dis well-intentioned bands on the grounds of accidental duplicity. So in that case I'll say that Pachinos are energetic and passionate about what they do. And as these bands go, they're well up there. But B.O.M.B ain't my cup of tea.
Are we dancing? If moshing is classified as dancing.