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

VIVIAN GIRLS

I Heard You Say

Polyvinyl Record Co ***

Of all the early 1990s phenomena seemingly destined never, ever to make a comeback, shoegazeing always felt just about the safest bet. With its mumbled vocals, thrift-store threads and outright rejection of any notions of glamour or ambition, it was a musical movement bound, we thought, to languish forever in fashion’s attic. But the unlikely success of Best Coast has cleared the way for this New York three-piece. Mr Motivator: dig out the Spandex, you could be next!

FLEET FOXES

Helplessness Blues

Sub Pop ***

The backwoods Beach Boys return in May with their second album, Helplessness Blues. The opening line of the title track echoes the opening salvo from their debut's White Winter Hymnal. But this is a much different song: sparser, bleaker and more personal.

JAMES BLAKE

The Wilhelm Scream

Atlas/A&M ****

Standing behind what appears to be a misty shower door, his features are thoroughly obscured. Over shimmering waves of distortion, his vocals are only intermittently decipherable. (“Gubba-gubba- life . . . gubba-gubba-dreams” etc). So who is this mysterious, wobbly prince of pop? And what is he trying to tell us?

KING CREOSOTE & JON HOPKINS

Bubble

Domino ****

On this track from the forthcoming Diamond Minealbum, the lyrics and vocals of Fife's ever-underrated Kenny Anderson (aka King Creosote) are paired with musical arrangements by Jon Hopkins (who recently collaborated on Brian Eno's Small Craft on a Milk Sea). Diamond Mineis intended as a classical suite, to be heard in one go, but this free download is an intriguing teaser.

KE$HA

We R Who We R

RCA **

“We run this town just like a club”, claims Ke$ha, who is possibly the only person on earth who can legitimately claim Jodie Marsh as a fashion influence. Well, my name’s not down and I’m not coming in.