Latest releases reviewed

MECK FEAT LEO SAYER Thunder in My Heart Again Free2air *

Leo's getting a new lease of life thanks to this LA DJ, who has sampled the curly-haired disco bunny's failed attempt to out-jive The Bee Gees. When the heck would we need this?

VESTA VARRO Blue Mirror Boy/Supa Hero RMG ***

Limerick loves these local lads, and so does London's XFM, who tipped them for 2006, and Sex Pistol Paul Cook, who bought them a drink after one of their UK shows. This double A-side, produced by Nick Seymour, nicely blends the epic with the explosive.

ALEX MCEWAN Make a Wave Forge **

Sounds like the Scottish singer-songwriter is walking in Memphis on a wave of twangy country-pop. The press release says to place him alongside Damien Rice, James Blunt and David Gray. OK, Alex, stand over there. Ready, aim . . . only joking.

SHAGGY Ultimatum Geffen ***

Mr Boombastic has a new album, Clothes Drop, and you can bet it's not about leaving your old T-shirts into the local St V de P. Guest vocalist "Na'sha" Watkins delivers the ultimatum - give up de laydeez or she walks. Well, then, here's your coat.

THE MARSHALS Make Her Cry Vertigo/Mercury ***

A snappy Dublin three-piece who sound like they're from London's East End; good to see the major labels are keeping up with rock'n'roll fashion. These guys were nominated for a Meteor even before this single came out. Luckily, it lives up to the hype.

HUMANZI Long Time ComingSound Foundation ***

They're signed to the same label as Snow Patrol, but don't expect these Dublin lads to go all Coldplay. "You won't let us in," shouts Shaun Mulrooney before chopping down the door with a death-disco stomp.

DAVE COUSE & THE IMPOSSIBLE Beauty Is 1969 Records ***

The ex-A House guy has a fine solo album, The World Should Know, and here's the second single off it, a slashing attack on the ugly face of fashion. "Beauty is the beast," concludes Couse. The Rose of Tralee should try this on as a theme tune.