EOIN BUTLER's guide to downloads, singles and free audiostreams
BLUR
Under the Westway ****
On the classic single For Tomorrow, from the album Modern Life Is Rubbish, Damon Albarn's protagonists were both "lost on the Westway". Twenty years on, he finds himself underneath it. But the burning question remains: what the hell is a Westway? Well, according to Wikipedia it's an elevated dual carriageway in west London that . . . phh, boring! youtube.com
MADONNA
Girls Gone Wild Interscope **
The second single from MDNAis a mid-tempo dance number mostly notable for Madonna's incredibly irritating insistence on stuttering the last word in every line. "I've got a burning hot des-i-i-i-re," she sings. "No one can put out my f-i-i-i-re." Sounds like someone may requ-i-i-i-re medical attention.
SPIRITUALIZED
Hey Jane Double Six/Fat Possum **
The opening track from Spiritualized's seventh studio album ( Sweet Heart Sweet Light) is an extended drone rocker of the type Jason Pearce has been churning out since Lazer Guided Melodies. It boasts one of the longest outros this side of I Am the Resurrection. Unfortunately, if you happen not to be under the influence of illicit substances, it's all a bit tedious.
SEUN KUTI & EGYPT 80
The Good Leaf (Spoek Mothambo Remix) ****
Nigerian jazz fusion, anyone? Seun Kuti (son of legendary Fela) is given the remix treatment here by South African Sub Pop signee Spoek Mothambo. The former's Brian Eno-produced From Africa With Fury: Risealbum is a revelation.
THE DIRTY 9s
Hey ***
Stop Screaming, Start Dreaming, The Dubliners' ominously titled debut album, turned heads in 2010. They're now busy recording the follow-up, which is due in May. itunes.com
GORILLAZ, ANDRÉ 3000 & JAMES MURPHY
DoYaThing***
On the latest offering from Converse's 3 Artists, 1 Song campaign, Damon Albarn (him again) and André 3000 swap rhymes while James Murphy's chorus is his first vocal since the demise of LCD Soundsystem last year. converse.com
