MP3: “I Walked” by Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens surprised us all with an EP release last week. And now there’s the news of another LP to be released in October, his first proper album in five years. A lot of fans will be pissed off by the electronic direction of the first song to surface of the new record, The Age of Adz, but this is one of the best tracks of the year so far. You can download “I Walked” by Sufjan Stevens here or stream it below (via Gorilla vs. Bear):
MP3: “Mercy Street (Peter Gabriel Cover)” by Fever Ray
We knew we were in for a treat when Fever Ray shared the fucked up cover art for her cover of Peter Gabriel’s “Mercy Street.” She played the song live throughout her tour, but the studio version is a reimagining of Gabriel’s 1986 track. You can download “Mercy Street” by Fever Ray here or stream it below:
MP3: “Supertoys” by Autolux
Autolux haven’t released a proper album since 2004 with the mesmerizing Future Perfect. After years of delays and record company issues, Autolux’s sophomore effort will be released via ATP Recordings on August 2. Download their brand new single “Supertoys” here or stream it below:
For fans of Failure, don’t forget that Greg Edward’s former band recently released 1996’s Fantastic Planet on vinyl. You can pick it up at Amazon.
MP3s: “Here’s To Now” and “Lay Me Down” by Ugly Casanova
Modest Mouse frontman Isaac Brock’s Ugly Casanova contributed nine songs for the soundtrack of new documentary 180° South. The soundtrack is released today via Universal Republic. Amazon is streaming samples of each track here. Download “Here’s To Now” and “Lay Me Down” or stream the tracks below:
Here’s To Now:
Lay Me Down:
MP3: “Stranger In The Window” by Elf Power
Elf Power follow up 2008’s In A Cave, one of my favorite albums in recent memory, with their tenth (and self-titled) album. Their Dark Developments collaboration with recently deceased Vic Chestnutt has obvious influences here. A new Orange Twin release always holds out hope for a Jeff Mangum contribution as well. The album is due in September. You can download “Stranger In the Window” by Elf Power here or stream it below:
MP3: “I’m Your Eagle Kisser (Live)” by Avey Tare
I really wish I wasn’t so late on the Animal Collective band wagon. Yes, they’ve gotten better in the studio, but the live show has obviously gotten worse due to their reliance on electronics and samplers. They might as well have just pressed play on a tape recorder the last time I saw them live in Brooklyn. A few months before I officially became obsessed with the band, Avey Tare did a short six show solo tour (2006). Here’s a live gem from that tour. It’s probably the best solo track from the band that was not on Panda Bear’s Person Pitch. The studio version is mesmerizing, and the live version is right up there. You can download “I’m You’re Eagle Kisser (Live)” by Avey Tare here or stream it below:
MP3s: “The Suburbs” and “Month of May” by Arcade Fire
Arcade Fire’s third LP, The Suburbs, won’t be released until later this summer. However, two tracks from the first single just hit radio stations worldwide. You can download “The Suburbs” here and “Month of May” here or stream both tracks below:
“The Suburbs”
“Month of May”
MP3: “The Believers” by How To Destroy Angels
Unless you’ve got an iPad, you might have to search around the intrawebs for a copy of “The Believers” by How To Destroy Angels. As part of their feature in Wired Magazine’s first iPad formatted issue, Trent and company included the new song. The glitchy track is the band’s best effort to date and will help ease the wait for impatient fans until the July 6th release of their debut EP. You can download “The Believers” by How To Destroy Angels here or stream it below:
MP3: “Theme For Tetsuo: The Bullet Man” by Nine Inch Nails
Trent Reznor recently provided an instrumental theme song for the third installment in The Tetsuo Project cult film series about humans that mutate into metal. In the context of the films, the noisy track fits perfectly. You can download “Theme For Tetsuo: The Bullet Man” by Nine Inch Nails here or stream it below:
MP3: “Helicopter (Live @ BBC Radio)” by Deerhunter
In the midst of their UK tour, Deerhunter stopped by BBC Radio to play a new song called “Helicopter.” It’s definitely worthy or I wouldn’t have put it up. Download “Helicopter” by Deerhunter here or stream it below: