EOIN BUTLER'sguide to downloads, singles and free audiostreams

PEACE

California DazeColumbia ****

While the most obvious touchstones are Oasis and Arctic Monkeys, listen closely enough to this mini-epic from Birmingham’s Peace and you’ll hear echoes of virtually every weepy on the classic rock jukebox: from Whiter Shade of Pale and Coney Island Baby all the way to November Rain. Original? Not even a tiny bit. But if you’ve got four minutes, give them a chance.

JOHN CALE

I Wanna Talk 2 U

Double Six ***

OMG! At 70 years of age, John Cale has embraced textspeak and sprouted a groovy grey “soul patch” under his lower lip. (Three-quarter life crisis alert!) The former Velvet Underground man’s saucily titled new album (Shifty Adventures in Nookie Wood) is due out on October 6th.

DROP OUT VENUS

I Kill Foxes

Dirty Bingo Records ****

“Little red fox on the road/ eyes gouged out.” This almost comically bleak new single from Drop Out Venus was conceived by singer Iva Moskovich as a companion piece to Smog’s I Break Horses. Play them back to back and you could shut down Mardi Gras.

MARIAH CAREY ft RICK ROSS, MEEK MILL

Triumphant (Get ’Em)

Island **

Mariah’s entire career to date has existed on a plane separate to that which I can fathom. So let’s consult the YouTube comments section to see what insights we can glean on her latest comeback single. “Girl be shutting the club DOWN!!” is the verdict over there. Wait, is that a good or bad thing? Is there’s a health and safety issue? Hellooo . . . ?

COCHISEAP

K-K-K-Kate*

If all goes according to plan, Katie Taylor will be an Olympic champion by the time this column goes to press. If not, well, she can console herself with this heartfelt YouTube tribute from a man in possession of what sounds like a Casio keyboard (unanimous) and a singing voice (split decision).