Another week, another singles round up. Can you guess the single of the week? Clue: a picture of John Holmes' todger was going to accompany this article, but I thought better of it and as such you have to make do with a picture of some embarrassed monkeys instead.

Electralux - Missing Out
A razor sharp slice of west country urban dance - Gert Lush! Well not quite but it ain't half bad and presents an entertaining take on the age old problem of trying to pull when you are skint. It even manages to reference Dire Straits without veering into cringeworthy territory. (SB)

Casiokids - Finn Bikkjen/Gomur Mamma
Not quite as thrilling as their live sets but nevertheless elicits a big Music Fix thumbs up from most of the gang as they lie semi-comatose around the office. 'Finn Bikkjen' is lo-fi electro dance which appears to be driven by the alarm from an old digital watch that I lost down the sofa back in the early 80s. This sets the synapses on fire and is like watching Bronski Beat taking New Order from behind and it makes me grin like a chimpanzee hooked on Haribo Star Mix. The dirty instrumental funk of 'Gomur Mamma' is relegated to the status of happy bonus. Buy it and forget about the grey, wet reality of your mundane summer. (SB)

Madness - Sugar and Spice
According to our own Steven Burnett, the parent album, The Liberty of Norton Folgate, is rather good. This single, however, seems a shadow of classic Madness. Sure, the lyrics are a cut above those found in most modern pop songs, and there is much poignancy in this tale of childhood sweethearts grown apart. The nutty boy element, however, is nowhere to be seen - just as the nation (allegedly) wants cheering up. (JD)

The Nextmen - Lion's Den
Renowned UK remixers, The Nextmen's latest, Lion's Den, is something of a comeback single for RnB starlet Ms Dynamite and it works well with a nice bass-led backing track providing the perfect accompaniment to Dynamite-ee's strong vocals. Bodes well for the group's upcoming album. (CP)

Red Light Company - Meccano
A great return, Red Light Company's latest is a great track of punk-infused pop that distances the band from their contemporaries by neatly combining guitar heavy backing and a great, almost anthemic chorus. Highly recommended, as is the instrumental b-side. (CP)

Haunts - Love is Blind
London-based quartet, Haunts, bring a unique bounce to their vocally heavy Love is Blind. It is a decent indie single that suffers from a repetitive last minute that could largely have been cut out. Not bad and the remixes for Black Eyed Girl and Underground that add value to this release mean that there is enough variety here to keep you entertained once Love Is Blind finally draws to a close. (CP)

Citadels - Golden Islands
Electronic indie pop à la Passion Pit, but with less high-pitched vocals. Less memorable too. (JD)

My Toys Like Me - Sweetheart
If the term wonky pop hadn't already been claimed, then it may well have had to be invented for this. Unconventional blips 'n' pieces meet the freakish little girl vocals of Frances Noon and slightly mental lyrics. (JD)

Single of the Week

Simian Mobile Disco - Audacity of Huge
Yeah, this is more like it; kinda like Depeche Mode kicking Yello down the stairs, this is delicious 'old skool' pop music like your Mum used to make. You could definitely see yourself puking rhythmically to this track as you stagger off the waltzers and into the arms of some tattooed carni. Scream if you wanna go faster you filthy skanks. (SB)

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