Single review - Martina Topley Bird 'Poison'

'Carnies' by Martina Topley Bird (formerly Tricky cohort amongst others) was one of the best pop releases of 2008 and thankfully, she's not letting up with her newest track 'Poison'. Breathe a sigh of relief as you find out that it's not a cover of an Alice Cooper track.

Anyway, 'Poison' is a wonky popper with snake hips. There's a sniff of the sixties about it... but not in a cabaret way... Dangermouse, producer of the track, has done a sterling job of making this sound like a classic track while still retaining something refreshingly modern.

There's no hiding from the fact that this is pop in it's purest form... but it's well informed pop that it's okay to like. We're not talking about big synthy Girls Aloud ripping off Goldfrapp... we're talking catchy, brainy pop that doesn't mind if you lose it on the dancefloor - drunk - in your handbag. I'd like to see Martina Topley Bird becoming a big star... gawd knows we need a smart popstar right now. Oh, it's out May 5th