EOIN BUTLER's guide to downloads, singles and free audiostreams
REBECCA BLACK
My Moment
ARK Music Factory**
Cyber-bullying victim turned pretend pop star, Rebecca Black returns in all her autotuned glory on this, probably the least anticipated single of the year. My Momentis a car crash, but it's not quite the 10-car pile-up her well-wishers will have been hoping for. Personally, I think we could have used a little more of that sketchy middle-aged guy from the first video. Seriously, what happened to that dude?
ELEANOR FRIEDBERGER
My Mistakes Merge****
The Fiery Furnaces singer's first solo video finds her working out, painting her toenails and playing tennis. Oh yeah, this is indie porn. The track is equally lovely, gorgeous pop that dissolves into a featherweight sax solo. Friedberger's Last Summeralbum is in shops now.
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS
The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie
Warner**
Hyperactive bass, gibberish vocal scatting and a big dumb chorus: as RHCP comeback singles go, this is like an Ikea flat pack that somehow never quite becomes a coffee table. Minus John Frusciante, the band seem to be missing an Allen key or something.
THE HORRORS
Still Life
XL****
Their Skyingalbum was overlooked for a Mercury nomination, but The Horrors have bounced back with one of their strongest singles to date. The bass player really does bare an uncanny resemblance to Ren, the psychotic chihuahua from the Ren and Stimpycartoons. But that's neither here nor there.
GRAND POCKET ORCHESTRA
Ooo La Te Woo
Popical Island**
Like many offerings from this label, Ooo La Te Woosounds not so much rough around the edges as performed unrehearsed by a group of total strangers in a darkened broom cupboard. But that's half its charm. Grand Pocket Orchestra play Whelans on August 3rd.