Sam Sparro: '21st Century Life'

Sam Sparro's 'Black And Gold' is looking like a serious contender for Single of the Year. This startling, addictive slice of electropop has now spent three-and-a-half months in the top 15 - and it's showing no signs of running out of steam. Unfortunately for Sparro, he now has the unenviable task of trying to follow-up that record.

With more than a passing resemblance to 1980s Prince, '21st Century Life' is a commendable but ultimately disappointing sequel. The Aussie-born musician's vocal performance is certainly impressive and there's bucket-loads of slap bass action to enjoy, but it's hard to rid your mind of cod-jazz stars Jamiroquai once the trumpets kick in. Sparro's semi-intellectual lyrics about "famine", "disease" and "CCTV" are more intriguing than most popstars', but they're not enough to remedy this single's underwhelming twinge.


> Click here for our review of Sam Sparro's album