EOIN BUTLER's guide to singles, downloads and free audiostreams

THE TWANG Another Bus

B-Unique ★★★★

Free downloads by mid-level NME-fodder indie bands are not the sort of thing that often get Shuffle into a frenzy of excitement. But The Twang’s gorgeous Another Bus is a worthy exception: a sip of mellow autumn for the balmy early summer.

THE BRILLIANT THINGS

Rise ★★★

Dublin duo The Brilliant Things are about to "raise the bar in contemporary music". Well, that's what their website says anyway. Taken from the forthcoming Stronger Than Romeoalbum, Rise is available through iTunes from June 12th. Philip Glass, one assumes, is quaking in his boots. www.thebrilliantthings.com

ASH

Return of White Rabbit ★★★

Ash's recently announced A-Z Seriesis a curious project that sees the Downpatrick trio abandon one almost obsolete format (albums) for another completely obsolete format (7-inch singles). But if the startling Return of White Rabbitis indicative of what we can expect from its 26-single run (the songs will also be available to download) then we could just be in for an interesting ride. www.ash-official.com

MANIC STREET PREACHERS

Jackie Collins Existential Question Time Columbia ★★★

That Richey Edwards’ surviving bandmates should wish to give life to lyrics by their former guitarist at this stage in their careers is understandable. That they’ve managed to do so, however, without appearing either exploitative or desperate is truly remarkable.

TAKE THAT Said It All

Polydor ★★

The 104th single in the never- ending Indian Summer of Take That’s post-reunion career. If I had to guess the single biggest contributing factor in the ageing manband’s continued success, I’d say it’s an overwhelming apathy on the part of the general public. Gary, Howard, Mark and, er, Dave ... ? Yeah, we remember those guys. Those guys will do ...

DJ KAOS Love The Night Away

(Tiedye Mix) Rong/DFA ★★★★

“Will it last, or is it gonna be a one-time love affair ...” Does it even matter? In the immortal words of George Costanza, it’s time to take a holiday from yourself.