RIP 1998-2009

In the grand tradition of bitchy music fans arguing over the pros and cons of Girls Aloud and the Sugababes, arguably the two most successful and relevant girl bands of new millenium, we've always ended up siding with Girls Aloud at the end of the day - however, we have always held a soft spot for the Sugaz. From our first memories of listening to "Overload" going down the motorway with our windows down on a summery Sunday afternoon back at the ripe young age of nine to our recent rants of how utterly crap "Get Sexy" is (we actually quite like it not that we'd ever admit it), many memories o' ours are tied to the Babes. So it is with a (moderately) heavy heart that we learn the news of the final original member's departure.

As many have already said, while it is admirable of the latest incarnation (Jade Ewen is the sixth Sugababe if you weren't already aware) to continue, it would be verging on embarrassing for them to perform under the Sugababes name. Yes, some may argue the true Sugababes ended in 2001 with Siobhan's swift flight, but with the final original member gone, no member of the present line up really holds any right to the name. Even poor Heidi Range, who has been in the band for more than most of it's existence, cannot call herself a Sugababe with Keisha's departure, which yes is a shame and unfair, but that's it now. The Sugababes are over.

Good luck Amelle, Jade and especially Heidi, who we do hold affection for. But girls, your days are numbered.

Stuck In Our Head: "Punching Out" - Jade Ewen

We're guessing the release of this song is entirely dependant on the success of "My Man", Jade's 1st official singlezzz. But we're hoping it does get a release, if only because it would have to come accompanied by a terrific video. In the video Jade would have to be dressed as a waitress. She would potter around her soon-to-be-ex boyfriend's 'pad' and, in true Amélie style, mess with his belongings, and thereby his head. She would scratch his signed N Dubz vinyl, leak his n00d picz on twitter, put washing up liquid (!!! - Ed) in his microwavable shepherd's pie. It would be fantastic.

Of course, if you have no idea what we're on about it's your own fault for not having listened to the above song yet. Oh you have? Well you need to dissect the lyrics. Oh you've done that too? Well maybe we just chat bollocks. Oh we do? Ok.

Gurl can dance...

As time goes on, this song gets less and less '2003' and becomes more and more 'if this was on in a club I would be fairly pleased'. Let's face it, it ain't gonna change the world but Jade Ewen has a fairly healthy dollop of 'fierce' or 'fab' or whatever EVEN whence performing on GMTV (!) so she's doing something right. If you value your senses, try to skip the cringe-inducing lil' interview at the start.

A nostalgia-inducing Jade Ewen video...

When we say 'nostalgia', what we mean is that just by watching this, you will feel transported back to 2003. Har de har.

Jade Ewen, herself, is a little bit interesting actually. Having won that horrendous SEARCH FOR A EUROVISION STAR thing on BBC1, she went on to place 5th in the competition, the best we've done in yonks, and surprised everyone by showing both charmingness in interviewy bits, but also a willingness to go in there and 'give it her all' where other lesser acts would be embarrassed to. For whatever reasons all her enthusiasm and wide-eyed charm payed off and now she's signed to Polydor. This, her first official single as a 'proper' pop star is a cross between something Ashanti would have released in 2003, and something Beyoncé would release now. So it's half dire and half immense.

Never fear, though, because the next single is brilliant and is going to be huge, even if it's not your cup of tea.