Relax - that explosion you heard earlier was just the blogosphere blowing up over the release of “Norway,” the first blissful new tune from Beach House’s forthcoming (and mega-appropriately titled) Teen Dream. Strap yourself down before listening, kids - you might just get washed away in this gorgeously lush track.
Oh, those cheeky Arctic Monkeys! Both darker and deeper, the group’s third album Humbug is a slowburner that rewards with repeat listens and proves that a young buzz band can, in fact, mature. Now, to support Humbug’s second single and album standout “Cornerstone,” the prolific group is releasing an EP of b-sides that are jaw-droppingly great. Take, for example, “Catapult” - co-written with co-producer Josh Homme, it’s hard to believe that this moody and choice cut got relegated to a b-side.
MP3:
Arctic Monkeys - “Catapult”
Arctic Monkeys - “Cornerstone”
Woah! The surprise cover of 2009 comes courtesy of Solange (y’up - Beyonce’s l’il sis) and her R&B twist on hipster fave “Stillness Is The Move” by the Dirty Projectors. Sure, “Stillness” was arguably the first Dirty Projectors song that actually sounded like a single and even quasi-club-worthy (if you found yourself dirty dancing in Williamsburg). However, Solange backed by a sample of Soul Mann and the Brothers’ “Bumpy’s Lament” could actually booty-bump this sexy cover on to commercial radio.
MP3s:
Solange - “Stillness Is The Move” (Dirty Projectors cover)
Dirty Projectors - “Stillness Is The Move”
Late last night, the title song from the new Michael Jackson documentary/concert film This Is It was released online for all to hear. Despite its upbeat title, the new track is a morose ballad that might disappoint fans expecting another “Billie Jean” or “Thriller.” Still, fans wanting more of the sadly departed Jackson can look forward to two versions of this track on the film’s soundtrack.
Having already released one of Hypeful’s favorite albums from the first half of ‘09, London-based Fanfarlo have managed to keep themselves busy recording a series of covers in one of the band member’s living rooms. For the first of their self-dubbed “laptop sessions,” Fanfarlo has covered Bonnie Prince Billy’s “A Minor Place.” and the Smashing Pumpkins’ “We Only Come Out At Night.” (The Pumpkins’ Mellon Collie track is an especially apropos tune if you’re suffering from a rash of True Blood fever this summer…)
MP3s:
Fanfarlo - “We Only Come Out At Night” (Smashing Pumpkins cover)
Smashing Pumpkins - “We Only Come Out At Night”
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