tim powell - Can't Stop The Pop

Sugababes – Hole In The Head

‘Hole In The Head’ saw Sugababes reignite their chart-topping partnership with Xenomania for the lead single of their third album.

There was Xenomania magic in the air as Abs teamed up with American R&B singer Nodesha for his third single, ‘Miss Perfect’.

‘Something Kinda Ooooh’ gave Girls Aloud their mojo back and deftly silenced rumours that the group might be about to split.

Mini Viva’s second single wasn’t given a fair chance to be the hit it deserved thanks to some baffling decision-making by their record label.

Initially mooted as the lead single for Girls Aloud’s second album, ‘Wake Me Up’ instead served as the fourth – and final – release.

In the face of underlying uncertainty over Girls Aloud’s long-term future, ‘The Show’ could’ve played things safe. Needless to say, it didn’t.

Releasing ‘Untouchable’ as a single came at a cost as, somehow, this six-and-a-half-minute opus had to be squashed down into a radio edit.

‘The Loving Kind’ feels like the product of a perfect moment in time where Girls Aloud’s critical acclaim matched their commercial success.