ALBUMS

THE TING TINGS - WE STARTED NOTHING

What's the story? Thanks to insta-anthem Great DJ, looking cool and constant critical gushing, the Salford duo's sugar-coated electro-pop has dominated most "Next Big Thing" run-downs. All the hype has left Katie Martin and Jules De Martino in danger of becoming irritatingly ubiquitous before they roll out their debut LP. So what's it to be - media-savvy charlatans or stars-in-waiting?

Why buy it? The first thing that hits you is their glorious simplicity. For an act so soaked in buzz, it's a shock to hear ace, unfussy pop songs, without feeling their hipness is superficial. This isn't deep and meaningful stuff - half the tracks would be crowned pop classics if Girls Aloud released them - but the nagging catchiness paired with DIY lo-fi ethics slingshots them to the top of the pile. Four stars.

Download: That's Not My Name and Traffic Light.

EXAMPLE - WHAT WE ALMOST MADE
ZOO's favourite MC scours the studio floor for his debut album off-cuts to piece together this collection of B-sides and rarities - and it's almost better than the original. As ever, humour is never far from the mix, but don't let that detract from the Fulham fan's second-to-none flow and the air-tight production. And anyone who's comfy sampling Elton John and Sister Act gets our vote. Four stars.
Download: Pedigree and High As A Kite.

PENDULUM - IN SILICO
Opinion splits between those blown away by Pendulum's updated drum 'n' bass and cynical traditionalists convinced the Aussies are peddling glossed-up, ringtone-friendly chart fare. This album left us straddling the two camps. Some tracks register ferociously, others fail, with only the studio trickery really impressing. Three stars.
Download: Propane Nightmares and Mutiny.

SINGLES

1 JOHNNY FLYNN - TICKLE ME PINK
The more we hear of this ultra-talented folk vagabond, the more we like. One to investigate.

2 JUSTICE - DVNO (JUSTICE REMIX)
The French electro geniuses re-tool their own disco gem and install a tougher edge, which works perfectly.

3 ANNUALS - SORE
Little-known US outfit often-discussed on influential music blogs we occasionally stumble across. This is sincere, epic and completely intoxicating.

4 YOUNG KNIVES - TURN TAIL
Their second album, Superabundance, made precisely zero impact, but don't let that to deter you. They are still one of the country's sharpest outfits.

5 ALPHABEAT - 10,000 NIGHTS
They're mounting a one-band crusade to restore the good name of cheesy pop. Despite our instincts, count us in. Throwaway fun.

6 SUPERGRASS- REBEL IN YOU
Now content occupying the "eccentric uncle" branch of the UK indie family tree, this nicely sums up their slow-burner of a new album.

7 THE FUTUREHEADS - RADIO HEARTS
Rising phoenix-like after their unceremonious label binning, can the loveable Mackem lads earn a second shot at fame and fortune? When the best accolade you can pay to this is "solid", the answer's probably "not quite".

8 RIHANNA - TAKE A BOW
Somewhere - probably in a nuclear bunker - scores of music scientists are prepping rafts of her future hits. As ever, ultra-efficient and coolly detached, but a tad soulless.

9 AMY MACDONALD - POISON PRINCE
Essentially just KT Tunstall's hotter little sister. We'd mention the song but it's about that Grade-A twat, Pete Doherty, and is completely forgettable.

10 NELLY FEAT. FERGIE - PARTY PEOPLE
Wow, doesn't Fergie seem to get everywhere these days? And, double-wow: doesn't Nelly suddenly seem hideously outdated? Time for you to move along, old timer.

ONE TO AVOID

BACKSTREET BOYS - HELPLESS WHEN SHE SMILES
Thankfully, we're not helpless to turn this off.