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

LIL’ B

I Got Aids Amalgam Digital ***

Controversialist rapper du jour Lil' B follows up the confessional I'm Gaysingle with another attention- grabbing effort. For the record, the Lil' B is neither gay nor HIV-positive; he's just trying to "raise awareness". Specifically, of his career.

KATE BUSH

Wild Man Noble & Brite

Wild Manis the lead single from 50 Words for Snow, Bush's first album of original material in six years. The chorus, which tells of a mysterious wild creature whose footprints are discovered in the snow, sounds (perhaps fitting) like an homage to Scary Monsters-era David Bowie.

LIZ LAWRENCE

The Oo Song Angel Records **

This singer-songwriter’s debut single is so bouncy and upbeat you suspect she may be angling for a spot on a washing powder ad. Liz Lawrence plays at Dublin’s Ruby Sessions next Tuesday. itunes.com

RUBBERBANDITS

Black Man ***

At the time of writing, bookmakers Paddy Power are offering 4/1 that the Black Manvideo will better the 8.1-million YouTube hits that Rubberbandits scored with Horse Outside.Well, it won't, but this Declan Lowney- directed effort does see the Limerick duo rediscover their commercial touch after their foray into more experimental territory with Spastic Hawk.

LOS CAMPESINOS!

Hello Sadness Wichita **

The poet Shelley wrote, “We look before and after/And pine for what is not/Our sincerest laughter/With some pain is fraught/Our sweetness songs are those that tell of saddest thought.” That was before he heard the new Los Campesinos! single. Now he reckons “Cheer up you miserable bastards, didn’t you used to be fun?”

BRUNO MARS

It Will Rain Atlantic ****

As a meteorologist, Bruno tends to play it safe. But boy, he sure can pen a tune. This is from the soundtrack to the new Twilightmovie.

LISTEN TO  50 Words for Snow, the new album from  Kate Bush at irishtimes.com/culture/music