Inspiration: Gwen's back!

No Doubt are back with their first album since 2001's Rock Steady and I am LOVING all the attention Ms Stefani is getting in the press. She has had some amazing magazine covers, including Terry Richardon's portraits of this high fashion heroine in Harper's Bazaar, as well as covers of Elle UK and Marie Claire US. And she only turned 43 years young last week. Diva. Push & Shove, the studio album, is full of the ska-punk-pop tunes, catchy syncopated rhythmns and her gnarly song wrting skillz. The videos for the two singles released so far, Settle Down and Push & Shove are the band's return to their trademark polished meets casual brand of cool, and all four are looking fitter than ever. Style notes? Punky hair twists, wife beaters and rasta hats, belted trenches and beaded jewellery. Oh, and ball gowns. Welcome back to the world stage, Gwen. It hasn't been the same without you.

Charles Hurts @ the Menagerie, Belfast

Recent weekends have been split between Dublin and Belfast, spending time with my pal from uni Carl and new music man-friend Phil. I even did a double whammy, spending Friday night in the 'Fast and coming down Saturday to the Irish capital. All to see Phil on stage with Charles Hurts, the two man ensemble he fronts. The Menagerie is a great wee gig space in Belfast and there was a few bands on that night following C'Hurts. The lovely Gemma and Kim sang backing vocals on a few tracks; I danced with Carl and Hannah and we took snaps on her retro disposable camera like the Dickheadz we be.

[Electric Loves] Turn Me On David Guetta feat Nicki Minaj

Photo: Virgin / EMI

There's not much the queen of Barbz turns her hand to that we don't love. Nicki Minaj's hyper sexy, super-charged colour costumes and knarly rapping style make her an Electric Icon in my eyes, and her latest, from French mega DJ and producer David Guetta is no exception. Although I'm not a huge fan of the use of special effects in videos, the robotics lend this Victorian inspired clip a touch of steam-punk. Nicki's busty bustled dress and pink-hair-and-top-hat combo are wicked work. But while the rhyming hits the spot as usual, the vocals in Nicki's singing parts sound heavily manipulated. Next time, less auto-tune please.

Electric Loves.... 212 by Azealia Banks

Photo: necolebitchie.com

Ooohh yeeaahh.... You know when a beat packs so much you just can't stop playing it over and over? With lyrics so feisty you swagger around in private acting like the Big Girl? When it makes you feel like a superstar yourself? Fast-paced and raunchy, 212 by Azealia Banks is case in point, and we've been playing it non-stop for weeks. With low-key video that's never made us need a Mickey Mouse jumper so bad, not to mention that sweet-ass way of wearing creepers, this has some seriously bad grrl, take-no-prisoner lyrics (personal high: "I guess that cunt gettin' eatin'"). Banks has some serious, 18 carat, diamond-in-the-rough star quality. More, please.