EOIN BUTLER's guide to downloads, singles and free audiostreams
ARCADE FIRE
Crucified Again ****
Captured live at a charity event in New York last week, Crucified Again is the Canadians' first new song in two-and-a-half years. Lines such as "Preachers talk on television/hand out judgments of their religion" could be lifted directly from the band's 2007 Neon Bible album. But Win Butler's delivery is wistful and low-key, like Richard Hawley with a persecution complex. youtube.com
ALT-J
Breezeblocks (Live at WFUV) ***
Alt-J frontman Joe Newman sounds like a sozzled Kermit the Frog at the best of times. But he went full-blown Swedish Chef at this recent New York radio session. The Mercury Prize faves have just confirmed a show in Dublin’s Olympia next May; tickets go on sale today.
BAT FOR LASHES
All Your Gold
Parlophone ****
Natasha Khan’s The Haunted Man is out today (see left), and so keen is the singer to spread the word that she appears to be using semaphore in the video.
THE CHILD OF LOV
Heal Double
Six Records ****
The video was shot in Atlanta by Focus Creeps and the bass licks are provided by Damon Albarn. But little is known about the man bringing the funk and the falsetto. No one knows who The Child of Lov is or where he’s from. Of course, if he really wants to create a mystique around himself, he should probably stop retweeting everything positive anyone says about him on Twitter.
THE STUNNING
Brewing Up a Storm ***
A veritable galaxy of RTÉ superstars, among them Sean O’Rourke, Evelyn Cusack and that, er, rugby pundit guy with the Australian accent – came together to record this nifty video promoting RTÉ’s Big Music Week 2012. Today host Dáithí Ó Sé appears to be lip-syncing to a completely different song, but, sure, you can’t win them all!
