Three

• Import, Special Edition.

The lyrics "It's about the music, not about the face" hardly represent a breakthrough in political pop theorising. But when the Sugababes sing them on "Whatever Makes You Happy" (the second track on Three, a rather literal title for the group's third album), it's difficult to suspend one's incredulity. After all, while multi-racial dolly mixtures Mutya Buena, Heidi Range and Keisha Buchanan hardly resemble abominable gargolyes, their relatively indignant demeanour (coupled with the lingering durability of classic hits like "Freak Like Me" and "Overload") has been welcomed as an antidote to the abidingly glossy transience of banal girlie pop. Frankly, the Sugababes are better at making music (with a little cowriting assistance from a coterie of professionals) than pulling faces and "keeping it street". This album, therefore, could have been ally undermined by getting too dangerous ("Nasty Ghetto" is all hammy, bluesy, back-street melodrama copenned with Linda Perry from 4 Non Blondes) or by such lapses into working-class ingratiation as "Don't wanna spend my time in the VIP / Gotta meet someone who doesn't need publicity". However, the electronic ska of "Hole in the Head", the soothing balladry of "Caught in the Moment" (reminiscent of Neneh Cherry at her most chilled) or the insistent drum loops, ominously squawking melodica and dervish groove of "Situation's Heavy" are powerful enough to sway any cynic while the cheeky R&B of "Buster" (nightclub lothario atttempts to entice some less-than-gullible filly into a cab and back to his pad for the proverbial cappuccino) amuses no end. They'll be back for a fourth album, which is more than can be said for many of their peers. --Kevin Maidment