EOIN BUTLER's guide to downloads, singles and free audiostreams
BRIAN WILSON
When You Wish Upon a Star Walt Disney Records****
Idiosyncratic as ever, Wilson has declined an offer to rejoin The Beach Boys for a 50th-anniversary tour next year, but instead is offering his fans a bizarre album of Disney covers (In the Key of Disney) by way of recompense. More surprising still is that the album is rather brilliant. If his wounded take on the theme song from Pinocchio doesn’t bring a tear to your eye, well, then you’re probably just about evil enough to enjoy this next one.
BUILDING
Who Is the Watcher? *
Is this the worst pop video of all time? In True Romance, Christopher Walken states there are 17 things a liar does to betray himself. Well, there are at least twice as many ways an internet hoax can give itself away. But incredibly, Who Is the Watcher? does not appear to be a hoax. It is truly, awesomely bad.
FRIENDS
I'm His Girl Lucky Number Music****
Impeccably cool, with a bassline that will pitch a tent and occupy your brain, Samantha Urbani’s I’m His Girl is one of the catchiest singles of the year.
DUCK SOUP
Big Bad Wolf Fool's Gold Records***
This third single from American-Canadian superstar DJ duo A-Trak and Armand Van Helden consists, basically, of the song title repeated incessantly for three minutes. But the video treatment, reminiscent of Aphex Twin’s Come to Daddy and Windowlicker, is angling for a spot in the WTF hall of fame. Before you go ahead and watch this, let me just add this perfunctory warning: you really, really shouldn’t.
WESTLIFE
Lighthouse Sony**
Taken from the soon-to-be-defunct boyband’s greatest-hits album. A lighthouse is where this band should be forcibly sequestered if they ever consider reuniting.
