Eoin Butler's guide to singles, downloads and free audiostreams

LA ROUX
Quicksand Kitsune ****

If being hailed as one to watch by every publication from NME to The Farmers Journal(well, almost) should be considered a bad omen - and let's face it, it usually is - then Elly Jackson could be forgiven for getting that sinking feeling. But Quicksand is a slick 1980s synth-pop pastiche, not a million miles from Prince's When Doves Cry. La Roux tours with Lily Allen in March.

FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE
Dog Days Are Over Moshi Moshi ***

Another selection from the Next Big Thing file. If these industry honchos are adamant about one thing, it's that slightly batty- looking women with red hair are going to be all the rage in 2009. My Auntie Geraldine should probably do an album.

TRAVIS
Song for Self Red Telephone Box *

"Singin' a song to myself" wails Fran Healy. Given the way his band's recent Ode to J Smith album sank without trace, that might literally be the case at this point. Alas, on the evidence of this woefully pedestrian single, the triumphant comeback will have to wait another while.

RA RA RIOT
Can You Tell Barsuk ****

Superior guitar pop from the Syracuse, New York-based six- piece.

FIGHT LIKE APES
Tie Me Up With Jackets Model Citizen Records ***

This track from FLA's Mystery of the Golden Medallionalbum is about to get a UK single release. It's another decent effort from the Dublin band, although I liked the song better when I thought the chorus went "Harvey Norman, Harvey Norman . . . " But there you go.

LADY GAGA
Just Dance Interscope **

Lady Gaga is already a star in the US, and her The Fame album is released on this side of the Atlantic later this month. Incidentally, Just Dancealso boasts the MC talents of one Colby O'Donis, who may or may not be one of the Mullingar O'Donises.

FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS
Femident Toothpaste ***

"You're a woman and you love to weave/You're a woman you've got woman's needs." The second series of Flight of the Conchords finds Bret and Jermaine composing a lucrative jingle for a new organic toothpaste for women.