Jamie T – ‘Sheila’ (Virgin) Released 07/05/07

Ahhh Jamie T, one of the figureheads of the musical movement  promoting our delightful capital city with edgy, trendy and damn popular music.  However, promote isn’t quite the right word; the re-released ‘Sheila’ is the classic binge drinkers tale, and for those of you who somehow haven't heard it, it doesn’t end prettily: “paramedic announced death at 10:30”.  Musically, the track is simply a repeated upbeat sample/drum beat combo, but it’s really irrelevant, as it is Jamie T’s lyrical talent that gives the song its appeal: most noticeable in the irresistibly catchy chorus: “Sheila goes out with her mate Stella, which gets poured all over her fella”. Just why they had to re-release it, rather than pick another album track is anyone’s guess. B side of the single, ‘Rawhide’, featuring fellow London-lover Lily Allen provides more of the same cheeky attitude and post-modern poetics.  But, being more musically satisfying, it would make an equally good single.