Gossip: 'Heavy Cross'

Beth Ditto's charisma, brashness and - yes, we have to mention it - considerable weight have ensured that interest in the Gossip extends beyond most bands with a single hit to their name. Yes, indie-disco banger 'Standing In The Way Of Control' was a humongous smash, but we've been waiting three years for a new album and follow-up hit to justify the hype and media luvviness surrounding the Arkansas trio.

It's rather odd, therefore, that Ditto and co are heralding their 2009 comeback with a track that has so many similarities to their signature tune. A brooding disco stomper, it opens with some coo-coo harmonies and fidgety guitar riffs before the band launch into their staple funky groove. Rick Rubin's knob-twiddling has added some extra punch to Bruce Paine and Hannah Billie's rhythm section and Ditto's menacing snarl is as impressive ever, but it's hard to ignore the fact that this sounds like a younger, more polite and more innocuous sibling of 'Control'. Keep your fingers crossed that their forthcoming Music For Men LP offers something rather more dramatic.