Coldplay - Princess Of China (feat. Rihanna)

As unlikely pairings go, this one would certainly make anyone's top ten list. Princess Of China brings together a woman who once sang about how chains and whips excited her, and a band fronted by a man who would probably have severe issues with the environmental damage caused by the manufacture of said chains and whips. To collaborate is a daring move. Their styles of music are incredibly different and their personalities are even more so. The question is whether they have managed to pull off a master stroke.

In listening to this song, one could be forgiven for having flashbacks to the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics. The whole track is haunted by a pounding, oriental-esque drumbeat and fantastic harmonies between Martin and Rihanna. This is certainly an energetic effort to say the least. Indeed, the words over-produced spring to mind. However, since the same description has been leveled at Oasis' Be Here Now on multiple occasions, this is not necessarily a bad thing. This energy is particularly noteworthy in the chorus, which will be wedged firmly into the listeners mind for many minutes after the track has ended.

The problem with this song though is that it is simply just OK. Although it sticks in the listeners head, it doesn't do so in a way that makes you desperate to listen to it again. This is not to say that it's a bad song, just that it doesn't really go anywhere hugely exciting.

All in all then, this effort could have been better, but given who was collaborating on it, it could also have been so much worse. The coming together of Coldplay and Rihanna has not been one to rival the great Lennon and McCartney, but there have been far more infamous combinations than this in history. Myra Hindley and Ian Brady spring instantly to mind.

Worth a listen? Yes, but probably only once.

Verdict: 6/10

Flo Rida - Wild Ones (feat. Sia)

Wild Ones is the latest release from Miami-based rapper Flo Rida. This one seems to have been knocking around the UK Top 40 for a long while now and, with one listen to it, it is not exactly tricky to see why. WWE wrestling fans will be familiar with Flo Rida for his recent performance at Wrestlemania 28, as well as the songs of his that were heavily used for promotion leading up to the event. Others, perhaps sadly, will remember/know of him simply because of the diabolical reworking he did of the Dead Or Alive classic, You Spin Me Round back in 2009. For those of us who have forgiven him for this Jeffrey Dahmer-equaling monstrosity, his latest works, Good Feeling and now this, are well worth the time of day.

The track kicks off with the chorus. This can sometimes be a risky move in a song. Fortunately however, the chorus to this song happens to be tremendous, and immediately lets the listener know that this tune is well worth their attention. Featuring the vocals of Aussie vocalist, Sia, the chorus is instantly memorable, catchy, heartfelt and, perhaps even beautiful. This initial chorus in thirty seconds long, and in all honesty, the song itself could have ended there and it would still have had the Youtube generation flocking to their computer screens to search for, and then listen to it again.

In reality though, the song (of course) continues beyond this point. The verses then kick in and, in terms of vocals, exclusively feature Flo Rida himself. The beat turns into a more dancey (if that's even a word?) kind of beat, yet still follow the same chord progression as the chorus. For fans of rap, Flo Rida's vocal work during the verses is tremendous and highly enjoyable. However, even non-fans of rap will continue listening, safe in the knowledge that that brilliant, melodic chorus is just around the corner once again. Essentially, whether you like, or even appreciate the busting of rhymes (as I believe it's called in the hood), this song will have something for you and keep you listening until the very end.

Overall then, this song has terrific crossover appeal and will inevitably be enjoyed by most music fans. It is tempting to laud immense praise upon it for being far better than Flo Rida's 2009 effort, Right Round. However, since even the Jonestown mass suicide of 1977 was better than that particular offering, that is not saying much! In all seriousness though, Flo Rida; well played sir.

Worth a listen? Most certainly.

Verdict: 9/10

Calvin Harris - Let's Go (feat. Ne-Yo)

If there's one thing we can always count on Calvin Harris for then it is an instantly recognisable dance track. The 28 year-old from Dumfries, who once interrupted Jedward during a "live" X factor performance (though, sadly, not with the malicious intent that many of us would have hoped for) has come on leaps and bounds in recent times. He has scored massive hits with Dance Wiv Me, The Girls, and Feel So Close to name a few. His latest offering, Let's Go (feat. Ne-Yo) just about lives up to the now very high expectations.

Unlike many of Harris' previous releases, Let's Go is unlikely to hold much in the way of crossover appeal. This is an out and out dance track with a pounding beat, techno to spare and so suited to the nightclub that it almost creates its own strobe lighting. As a dance number, this is a great effort. Fans of the genre will be bouncing up and down to this all night long. Ne-Yo's vocals compliment the beat nicely and the chorus is distinct, yet not overstated. It has to be said though that non-dance fans will find little enjoyment here. Nobody will hate this song as such, but many are likely to find it fairly forgettable and nothing particularly special.

All in all, your enjoyment of this tune will rather depend on your taste in music, and indeed what kind of person you become when in a nightclub. If you are the type of individual who likes to dance, neck Tequila shots and snog endless strangers of the opposite sex then this is for you. However, if you're the sort who buys a drink, stands around awkwardly and then skulks off to the smoking area whilst desperately trying not to draw attention to yourself then it's probably best to find something else to listen to.

Worth a listen? Very much so, but as far as Mr Harris' collaborations with rappers go, this is a weaker offering than his 2008 effort with Dizzee Rascal.

Verdict: 7/10