Hello, I've started a new blog

It's here. It's called A Track A Day Keeps The Doctor Away, and it's my attempt to keep a sort of daily aural diary of my life as I tart about writing and working and slacking, concentrating on a particular song that has stirred me in those 24 hours. Come say hello.

More news

As of January 11, I'm taking over John Harris's column in The Guardian. This being his regular, fortnightly Friday Film and Music Weekly column on page 2 of the pull-out paper. I'm so excited I could burst.

I'm back, and introducing The Lipster

Hello you lot. Yes, I have been away for some time. I took my metaphorical canoe to the North-East coast and reappeared in a glorious, dim and distant Panama. Or perhaps not. In truth, there's no sinister reason I've been away, merely I've been the busiest bee in the hive, in particular working on something new that I can now tell you about.

As of December 21, I will be leaving The Word. I've worked on 50 issues, and I've had an absolutely amazing time – leaving hasn't really hit me yet, but when it will, I will cry like a baby.

I'm leaving to do several things: to write as a freelancer for The Guardian, the New Statesman, and, of course, The Word too, and also to edit a really exciting new website. It's called The Lipster and you can sign up here: www.thelipster.com. It's essentially the greatest women's magazine ever on the internet, and a pop culture website that everyone can enjoy. We've got some fantastic writers involved, including Sylvia Patterson, Miranda Sawyer, Tania Branigan, Laura Barton, Sophie Heawood and tons of other fabulous folk. Do sign up and do start using it. We go live *crosses fingers* sometime this week, and launch fully in February.

That's all for now. I haven't decided whether I'm going to carry on blogging here or blogging on the site (which is why I stopped in the first place). But I'll be around somehow – you can't get rid of me that easily.

More soon. Stay in touch xx

Great lost pop singles, no. 9

You'll probably laugh at me for this one, but I am nothing if not a shameless girl. I *loved* the London Boys. I loved their cheesy videos, their backflippy dance routines, their shimmery Eurodisco "influences", and the way that every one of their songs made me smile like a Cheshire cat. The only thing people remember about them now is that they both died in a car accident in the Alps in the '90s. They should remember this too.

Corner Cymraeg. no 6

Cerys Matthews, Y Corryn Ar Pry'
(from Awyren = Aeroplane EP, My Kung Fu, 2007)

This plopped through the letterbox at home yesterday – a collection of five songs in a little silver and pink slip case from the first lady of Catatonia herself. Those unfamiliar with Cerys's solo career shouldn't expect Mulder and Scully II or Road Rage Redux. Those familiar with it shouldn't expect the soft folk they found on Cockahoop or the country-flavoured tunes they found on Never Can Say Goodbye. Imagine some strange, soft Spector-influenced woozy music from another world. This track is pretty, poignant and perfect.

A go on the old Joanna

Those of you who enjoy my random postings of perky pop songs will probably be surprised that Joanna Newsom's Ys is one of my favourite records of recent years. What can I say? I'm a contrary creature. Here's my review of the absolutely marvellous gig of hers that I went to see on Friday night. In the Royal Albert Hall. Roy Harper supported and everything. I'm one classy lady.

Great lost pop singles no. 8

The Pet Shop Boys, ladies and gentlemen. This is Flamboyant. It was one of the extra tracks on their fabulous 2004 Best Of, Pop Art. Everyone forgets it ever existed. Time to refresh your pop-erasing brains.