New releases round-up - 27th June 2011

Beyonce - 4

After watching Beyonce's breathtaking Glastonbury set last night, I don't think anyone can deny the sheer formidable force of nature she represents as a pop artist. With her new album 4 containing such winners as Run The World (Girls) and my personal favourite 1+1, while it may not have received the best of critical receptions, it still stands as a firm considered chapter in Beyonce's musical career.

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Coldplay - Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall

And now something from those other Glastonbury headliners, Coldplay. The single has attracted a fair bit of flac for it's apparent sampling of a classic dance track, but for me, it's little quirks like this that have kept Coldplay interesting through all these years. Well over a decade now since they went stratospheric with Yellow, it's reassuring to know they remain something we can forever still count on.

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Biffy Clyro - Revolutions: Live At Wembley

When it comes to consistency and solidarity, Biffy Clyro are another prime candidate - this year seeing their status boosted by a whole heap of 'Britain's Best Live Band' accolades sent their way. And now you can experience their fabled live experience for yourself with this package, a handy collection of the band's greatest hits sung from that most hallowed of venues. Fan or not, the success of the band's last two albums is undeniable.

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Snoop Dogg - Boom

A little guilty pleasure here, simply for the fact it reminds me so much of The Saturdays If This Is Love. In case you haven't guessed, yes, Snoop Dogg's new single also samples Yazoo's Situation. A surprisingly fizzy and sprightly move for the rapper, it nevertheless makes for a strong follow-up to dance-athon track Sweat.

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Billie Ray Martin - Sweet Suburban Disco (Vince Clark Mix)

When it comes to dance music, Billie Ray Martin really is one of the reigning queens. With a list of hit club tracks as long as your arm to her name as well as DJ slots around the world, she's certainly not lacking in the experience department. What we get with her brilliant new track Sweet Suburban Disco though is the spotlight shining firmly on her voice... and what a voice she has!

As a big Erasure fan, I had to take a listen to Vince Clark's version of the track and the mix represents something far darker than anything Erasure have put out in years - a relentless, threatening bassline throbs away; the perfect counterpoint to Billie's soulful vocals. Her voice is pure class, harking back to the days of the disco greats of the 70s - this track remains utterly modern in its chic-ness however; a stabbing synth break-down four minutes in a technical example in how to engineer a perfect club climax.

That's Sweet Suburban Disco's greatest strength, it's knowing. When it wants to be gentle, subtle and caressing, it can be. But when it wants to turn on the passion and energy, it goes for it full-tilt. This is a club track with real intelligence to it, something befitting individuals who've been in the game as long as Billie and Vince. Moody, sultry and with a brilliant sheen of dancefloor glamour, Sweet Suburban Disco is a definite delight.

Sweet Suburban Disco is released on March 28th.

Snoop Dogg feat. T-Pain - Boom

Everyone loves to sample 80s classics, especially Yazoo tracks. Yazoo/Erasure/Depeche Mode mastermind Vince Clarke was a pro at coming up with an amazing synth hook after all. And the latest in the long line of 're-invisioned' Yazoo tracks comes courtesy of Snoop Dogg and his new tune Boom. Sampling Yazoo's Situation, it's a suitably club friendly bit of hip-hop and also features T-Pain. I rather like the Fallout-esque, gritty futuristic intro to the video - all gas masks and everything. Very cool.

As for the song though... It's alright, but it's nowhere near as good as what The Saturdays did with If This Is Love.