Singles

Eliza Doolittle - Skinny Genes

Antonio Rowe 13/04/2010

Rating: 4/5

Eliza Doolittle is a rare thing in the music industry. A female singer/songwriter whose debut album is set for release this year, she hasn't been a victim of the credibilty crushing hype machine and, from what I know, her face hasn't been plastered across several end of year polls - unlike her comtemporaries Ellie Goulding and Marina Diamandis.

Which is all very surprising and refreshing since she's signed to major label Parlophone, thus making her label mates with the likes of Lily Allen, Bat For Lashes and MPHO. None of these, as you probably know, have exactly been short of promotion or publicity (except maybe for the latter). And it's not exactly like Ms Doolittle is a fresh face on the scene; she released her debut single 'Piano Song' way back in 2008 and not too long ago released the endearing EP Eliza Doolittle.

So will her new single 'Skinny Genes' be her way of finally breaking into the mainstream and becoming a chart darling?
Well I don't see why not, it's the type of song perfect for idle summer listening, whilst you nag and whine at whoever's holding fort at the barbeque because you're starving and want a burger. The track has a catchy melody thats glazed over with laid-back carribbean xylophone beats and an inescapable whistle sample; this is perfectly complimented by Eliza's voice which is sweet but soulful.

The instrumental of the song is currently being used for the spring/summer campaign of Fearne Cotton and Holly Willoughby endorsed fashion label Very. A similar marketing ploy was used to break The Noisettes into the mainstream with their track 'Don't Upset The Rhythm' going on to become a number two hit after being used in a Mazda car advert. Hopefully the same rule will apply for Eliza Doolittle, and if the announcement of Lily Allen's retirement from music isn't premature, then Eliza could soon become the newly appointed queen of pop/ska.

Release Date: 12/04/2010