Tinchy Stryder - You're Not Alone

Tinchy Stryder has enjoyed three massive singles this year (two of which hit number one - not bad for an artist who was a complete unknown in 2008), but all have seen the rapper joined by a guest-star collaborator (Dappy of N-Dubz, Amelle from Sugababes and indemand songwriter Taio Cruz). That is until now, on 'You're Not Alone' (single no. 5 from 'Catch 22'), the 21-year-old goes it alone on the back of a sample from a 90s dance hit by Olive.

Where samples can often result in a brilliant piece of music and become something brand new altogether, this is the sound of the Star in the Hood doing rap karaoke - spitting over a beat that doesn't differ much from the original. And compared to the slicker-sounding productions his album featured, this is a cheap-sounding, hastily-made uninspired listen.

'Catch 22' standout pieces such as 'I'm Landing' or 'Warning' would have made a better single, and would have at least given Stryder some credibility in being considered a strong artist on his own without a cameo appearance giving a helping hand. Would anyone take notice of 'You're Not Alone' had it been released by someone other than Tinchy? Very unlikely.