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”