Having listened to it incessantly over the last few days, we reckon 'Underneath' is Alanis Morissette's best single since 'Hands Clean'. Though it's produced by electro knob-twiddler Guy Sigsworth - a man who's worked with pop kooks like Bjork and Imogen Heap - it still sounds like vintage Alanis: a big, fat slab of soft rock that's great to drive to.

Predictably, the lyrics aren't of the raindrops-on-roses-and-whiskers-on-kittens variety. Alanis' message? That the small communication breakdowns we endure in everyday life are the root of the world's major problems. "Look at us waging war in our bedroom, look at us jumping ship in our dialogues," she wails. "There is no difference in what we're doing in here that doesn't show up as bigger symptoms out there." Once you've re-read those lyrics to take account of the 187 syllables she's still trying to fit into each line, you might grasp what she's trying to say.

The video features people jumping into a swimming pool that turns them back into children - yup, it's just as thought-provoking/confusing as the song. Enjoy!




What do you think of Alanis' new single? Could it return her to the top of the charts? Just hit the usual button to have your say.