Perhaps taking a page out of the success of the Pussycat Dolls with their highly-produced upbeat songs, the Sugababes hit the chart with their sassy-sounding 21st single - 'Denial'.
The production is more aggressive than their previous releases - the drums and quicker pace of the backing track mean that the music leads the vocals - rather than the other way round, as per the earlier, more soulful songs such as 'Run for Cover'. It sounds out of place - with a remix / slowdown, this could be a worthy, soulful acoustic piece - but I guess that might not be as saleable.
In a way, this depreciates their strongest selling point - the vocals are somewhat lost, bland against the stronger music. Any nuance of harmony or soul are lost - a trick that works for recent souless girl groups, but a crying shame for the erstwhile demonstrated talent of the Sugababes.
What next?More by Sugababes? More reviews? More pop, or rnb?