The Ting Tings cover a multitude of musical styles. As many writers have noted, Nowheresville sounds a lot like listening to your iPod in shuffle mode. But that's not to say there's no unifying thread in the tracks. Their hallmark retro-pop punk vibe shines through and the catchy tunes provoke a singalong.
First single Hang It Up brims with old-school from beginning to end. The simple guitar riff and rapid one-syllable tongue-twister word play are great hooks: "Break it, make it, you can make the break ...", Jules de Martino raps. Nonsensical? Yes. Catchy? Absolutely. But this is pop music. What did you expect? Give It Back is another old-school-infused track that really stands out, as is Give It Up, where Martino takes the vocal lead.
Day to Day is the most contemporary and vocally demanding; she's better known for chanting than singing, but Katie White holds her own here in the vocals department.
After just one listen, you'll wonder why more artists don't camp out in Nowheresville.
YP Rating: 4/5