Girls Aloud are tangled up in comfort zone

'Tangled Up' the fourth album from pop sensations Girls Aloud is filled with audacious, fun and unrelenting little tunes that will appeal to everyone from teenagers to music critics, pensioners and indie-snobs.

Girls Aloud need to push out the boat the next time.

Of course this is generic, manufactured, throw-away pop music but no one does it better than these five feisty dames. Produced by hit-making collective Xenomenia, who have produced all of Girls Aloud's 16 chart-topping singles to date, 'Tangled Up' contains plenty of frivolous, catchy and sexy ditties that just about safe-guards their position as the queens of girl-pop.

Opening track 'Call The Shots' sets the standard as its infectious mix of eighties effervescence and sultry mid-tempo melancholy works its magic. The energy levels are pumped up for 'Close To Love', a disco-influenced hit in waiting, worthy of Madonna or Kylie.

'Sexy! No No No', a monster of a pop tune with impressive vocals from Nadine, is one of the album's standout tracks. It is a torrent of angry and sexy pop music that will leave the Spice Girls quaking in their stilettos.

They drop their game on 'Girl Overboard', a track that gives you an insight into how Bananarama might sound if they were still putting out records in the noughties. Thankfully, 'I Can't Speak French', a witty little number with smash hit written all over it makes up for this little faux pas.

Provocative and entertaining Girls Aloud are in top form as they pay tribute to girl-groups of the sixties on this perfect dose of bubblegum pop.

Unfortunately, the next couple of tracks leave a lot to be desired. 'Black Jacks' finds the girls take a surprising, seventies rock direction. The darkest track on the album, it falls a bit flat on its face for all its bogus Hilary Duff rock-chick posturing. This is followed by 'Control Of The Knife' which trudges along as the sassy quintet play it just a little too safe on this Kate Nash-ish number.

They are back on track again on 'Fling'. The girls vamp it out over banging electro-beats reminiscent of Basement Jaxx as all hell breaks loose on the dancefloor. Possibly the album's best track, 'Fling' has number one written all over it.

Of the remaining four tracks only 'I'm Falling' with its electronic effects bares repeated listening. Not the most adventurous pop album ever made but there is plenty to savour all the same. You are left feeling however, that if Girls Aloud don't break out of their comfort zone and deliver something truly groundbreaking next time round that they could well and truly find themselves tied up in knots!

(3 out of 5)

Young Galaxy dazzle with their debut

Montreal six-piece Young Galaxy release their eponymously-titled debut album through the Toronto-based Arts & Crafts label.

A dazzling record, it is sure to see them follow in the success of label-mates Broken Social Scene, Feist and The Hidden Cameras.

Young Galaxy create a kaleidoscopic sound with heavy tones and hypnotic male/female vocals. Recorded with Jace Lasek and friends at Breakglass Studio in Montreal, the album is a shimmering collection of hypnotic space-pop.

'Young Galaxy' takes the listener on a formidable emotive voyage, marrying the heady throb and hum of mid-period Fleetwood Mac to Spiritualized's narcoleptic euphoric lullabies and Galaxie 500's blissful kiss.

More occasionally striking echoes of Cocteau Twins, Slowdive and The Shins resonate.

This is a sophisticated and layered sound.

(4 out of 5)