#49 Audio Club, "Sumthin' Serious"/"Hot, Bangin', Supa, Sexy"

I can see you really got a crush on me
It's serious
I put that hook on you

Yes, this is two songs in one slot. Yes, that's probably cheating. Oh well--they're both about equally great and come from the same group, American duo (though now appearing as three people, the "extra" one being a behind the scenes, writer/producer type, I think) the Audio Club, who have now made two attempts to break out beyond one radio station play hell and don't seem to be going anywhere (though who knows, they apparently did get signed to a big label this past summer, so maybe something's in the works; the appearance of a bunch of their tracks for purchase from their MySpace--great as that is--doesn't seem like a good sign, though, unless most of them won't get used in whatever project they're working on now). I'm kind of sad about that, though--both these singles are pretty good. "Sumthin' Serious" was their first release (from before they actually had a record deal, I think I remember reading) and the goofy rapping, video, and single cover styled them as kind of a comedy group. Even if that's not to your style, though (and it's a song that some people will hate), the Gwen Stefani-mimicking singing by Ashley Alan-Lee provides pure pop hooks that are all sparkles and adorableness and were such pop perfection that I couldn't pass them up.

Second single "Hot, Bangin', Supa, Sexy" (their spelling and punctuation) established (or should have, at least) them as more than just some one-off comedy duo, though; pop with a little bit of dark electro running underneath it, the song kept some of the sense of fun from "Sumthin' Serious" (and also Brooks Buford's jokey raps) but was also a legitimately good-throughout, catchy pop song. The chorus is kind of half-pounding and the song has a great choreographed dance-friendly middle 8.

Hot, Bangin', Supa, Sexy

Find it on: the Audio Club's MySpace (where these and other songs of theirs can be purchased; iTunes also has "Sumthin' Serious")

I can see you really got a crush on me

I'm sick of Gwen Stefani's "The Sweet Escape"--don't get me wrong: it's not a bad song, but it's been overplayed so much for so long that I automatically switch away from it any time it comes on the radio or TV. Blame "Sweet Escape" fatigue for me running into the arms of the Audio Club's "Sumthin' Serious" if you will, but it's genuinely a good song. It sometimes feels like this band and this song have been around forever, but this American duo--one woman singer and one male rapper--have still not got a real hit out of it, and might never do so.

Sumthin' Serious--sure, there's rapping, but it's basically comedy rapping. And sure, the chorus has the female singer doing her best to rip off Gwen Stefani, especially in the post-chorus (is there a proper term for that?), where she starts spelling--but this is such a cute song! Poppy electronic beats, like if bubblegum pop incorporated a little rap and a little electro, make up most of the music, and I'm always up for cute synthesizers. Even if it is derivative, it still manages to sound fresh (though possibly that's more a reflection of the template it comes from not being exhausted yet and still sounding different from most of what we hear on the radio). Some people will find it annoying. I think it's adorable (though I could do with less of the rapping and they could've thought of a better way to end the song; it fades out at a point where it feels like it should keep going).

To buy the Audio Club's debut single "Sumthin' Serious," go here (physical) or here (digital). It's also available in iTunes stores around the world.

Next up: maybe an Australian singer.