The warm September wind has been blowing in this week, and on its gusts are some of our favorite tracks from solo artists (Sharon Van Etten, Thom Yorke), buzzy bands (DIIV, Deerhunter), and one unstoppable rap duo (Run the Jewels).
Check them all out below.
Sharon Van Etten, “Teen Angel” (Donovan cover)
On Tuesday morning, we got our first real taste of Gazing With Tranquility—Rock The Cause Records’ upcoming Donovan tribute album—with Sharon Van Etten‘s faithful cover of the troubadour’s “Teen Angel.” Van Etten slightly slows the tempo and belts out the lyrics of the ’68 B-Side, but she keeps Donovan’s signature warbles and delicate tone intact. A delightful way to start the weekend.
Deerhunter shared Fading Frontier‘s lead single “Snakeskin” back in August, and now they’ve released a video for the album’s second single, the hazy “Breaker.” With each bombastic and orchestral chorus approaching, the fragile harmonies and intricate guitar lines of “Breaker”‘s verses fade away into our memories.
Thom Yorke, “Villain”
On Monday, New York’s Rag & Bone fashion line presented its Fall 2015 collection as part of NY Fashion Week. Beyond getting a first look at new garments that will be heading to stores soon, Rag & Bone’s audience got to hear a new piece entitled “Villain” by Radiohead’s Thom Yorke. The experimental and sparse composition was performed live (behind a sheer curtain) by Yorke and twelve kids from Brooklyn’s Youth Chorus. The result is a building track that highlights the haunting and wispy coos of the chorus above Yorke’s piano and remixes of other tracks.
DIIV, “Dopamine”
Even though there still isn’t a firm release date for DIIV‘s sophomore record Is The Is Are, the guys dropped another track from the album on Wednesday. “Dopamine” is nearly four minutes of stacked harmonies, surf guitar riffs, and static wall-of-sound production. The track is driving, disorienting, and somehow calming all at the same time.
Run the Jewels, “Oh My Darling Don’t Meow”
After learning that several strange remix albums are in El-P and Killer Mike‘s future yesterday, it makes sense that the Run the Jewels duo wanted to keep that buzz fire hot and drop another remixed track off of the (actually) upcoming Meow the Jewels album. This past July, RTJ unveiled MTJ‘s first single “Meowrly,” and now Mike and Jamie have released “Oh My Darling Don’t Meow”—a Just Blaze remix that’s heavy on lion roars and spoken-word interludes. The Internet has truly come to life.
