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

ONE DIRECTION

Live While We're Young Syco **

It’s here! The latest PG party anthem from teen heartthrobs Harry, Niall, Dick, George, Anne and Timmy the dog has notched up an impressive 40 million YouTube hits. Whether the boys’ newfound zest for life is fuelled by an awareness of the transience of youth, or

the grim reality that they’ll probably all be doing panto by the time they’re 21, is, well, anybody’s guess.

ADELE

Skyfall Columbia ***

Lavish production? Check. John Barry strings? Check. Gibberish movie title as sultry refrain? Check. The latest James Bond theme is so slavishly faithful to the timeworn formula that it’s probably being hailed as a classic even as we speak. Skyfall was recorded with a77-piece orchestra at Abbey Road studios in London and is released today to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the film franchise.

CRYSTAL CASTLES

Wrath of God Universal ****

On the excellent lead single from Alison Glass’s vocal is so cantankerous sounding, and low in the mix, that I initially thought my neighbours were going at it again. (Why can’t those two just get along?) the Canadian electro duo’s third album, III, is released November 5th.

DES BISHOP

Facebook Break-Up **

"I need you like the IMF needs to mind their own business/I need you like Irish people need debt forgiveness." Des Bishop's foray into comedy hip-hop is a bold experiment that, alas, falls short on both counts. He isn't a bad rapper, but the notion of pairing traditional Irish songs we're already sick of (Black Is the Colour, in this instance) with slapdash modern beats is as old as Dance to Tipperary. And it never, ever works. itunes.com

SOLANGE

Losing You Terrible ****

Written and produced by Dev Hynes (aka Lightspeed Champion), the latest single by Beyoncé’s little sister (below) is a minor revelation. Melina Matsoukas’s video, set in an inexplicably hip South African township, is equally mesmerising.