Yahoo! Music Review

Released on 17/03/08
Label: Universal Island

Once the sole saviours of pop, restoring class, style and imagination to the charts and tri-handedly turning the tide of a sea of mediocre late-'90s pap, the Sugababes have long proved that quality and quantity don't have to be mutually exclusive. Following that theme, "Denial" is another fine example of the refined integrity on which they've built their career. Unfortunately, on its own, integrity has a tendency to bore.

While their class and style are still in full effect, the 'Babes imagination is nowhere to be seen. In comparison to the majority of their early output, this is staid and by numbers. Their dignified elegance now borders on stilted and the bravery which once defined them has all but gone, taking their strident sexiness with it. It's catchy and slick enough to be admired, but next to Girls Aloud, who took the Sugababes' attitude and ran with it, they're looking old before their time and distinctly middle of the road.

    by Dan Gennoe