Luminous, mystical, otherworldly: these words are just the few that could describe Martina Topley-Bird’s latest single, Carnies.

Now, just think of which other seminal artist could be described in the same way? Bowie. Unsurprising, as Carnies is sweetly reminiscent of Ashes to Ashes, but before you start panicking, don’t worry! This is no Samantha Mumba-inspired pastiche…

Produced by Danger Mouse, Carnies treads right on the line which differentiates between childishness and some kind of wickedness. Topley-Bird’s voice has a naïve quality but on Carnies, the fairground mysticism makes her sound playful and mischievous.

Listening to this track is an intoxicating swirl, like being at a carnival… or being high on some wonderful, luminescent drug. The confusion, flamboyance and blurry lights of the carnival are impressed upon your senses by ethereal harmonies and the slightly sinister repetitiveness of the tune.

Topley-Bird and Danger Mouse offer a groovy, catchy single which will leave you singing it for a few weeks after. Its circus-inspired eeriness will fire up the senses and give you a few niggles of Bowie-nostalgia for a while.