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Well, it looks like winter is finally upon us. Luckily, along with the freezing winds and unrepentant rain, we've had a load of hot new tracks thrown in our faces to warm us up.
There's an exciting David Bowie remix courtesy of LCD Soundsytem, an unreleased Haim track, a glimpse into Bastille's upcoming album re-release, and even more remixes. So why not stay in bed, close the curtains, and let us take you through this week's best new tracks...
David Bowie 'Love is Lost' (Hello Steve Reich Mix by James Murphy)
Any snippet of news even vaguely relating to Bowie causes a frenzied uproar, so naturally the entire internet collectively freaked out when this James Murphy remix of The Next Day track 'Love is Lost' dropped. It's a clap happy, ten-minute epic with tinges of synthesizers and electronic flourishes that sound beautiful with Bowie's haunting vocals.
Britney Spears 'Work Bitch' (Azealia Banks Remix)
Bigmouthed Harlem rapper Azealia Banks takes the reigns from Spears on the already ridiculous EDM banger 'Work Bitch'. The instrumental is unaltered - Banks simply spits furiously for two minutes before poor old Britney is allowed back in to close the song. It's a definite improvement, the rap element working well with the electronic beat.
Mapei 'Don't Wait'
Swedish newcomer Mapei has a beautiful, soulful voice which she displays to fantastic effect over this well-produced highly memorable blend of hip hop, R&B, doo wop, and pop. Which is what it is, fundamentally - it's just a great pop song.
Gorillaz 'Whirlwind'
This unreleased Plastic Beach track was premiered on Dermot O'Leary's Radio 2 show on Sunday by Damon Albarn himself. 'Whirlwind' is an Eastern-influenced opulent swirl of strings, sitars, harps and pretty much every instrument ever. It's obvious why it was unreleased, as it hardly screams 'radio hit', but it's an interesting and rather mesmerising glimpse into Albarn's musical mind.
Four Tet - Parallel Jalebi (Hudson Mohawke Remix)
Four Tet's music is hard to describe, as it's so complex, layered, and just straight up weird (in the best kind of way). Beautiful Rewind cut 'Parallel Jalebi' is no exception - a juddering rush of deep, bass-y beats and a looping, glitchy female vocal. The hottest producer in hip hop at the moment, Hudson Mohawke, has added his trademark touch of fizzing, dark electro/hip hop with a frenzied, frenetic drum beat that takes the track to a whole other level.
Haim 'Edge'
Twin Shadow shared this track he co-wrote with the Haim sisters, which features on the deluxe version of Days Are Gone. 'Edge' is a down tempo, chilled out number which displays the more R&B inspired side of the LA band. Danielle's vocals sound smooth and soulful over a electronic tinged beat, layered with synths and arpeggios.
Bastille 'The Draw'
Fans of Bastille have most likely milked debut Bad Blood dry, so when they premiered a brand new track at a Bristol show earlier in the week, there was a palpable feeling of excitement. From first listen, 'The Draw', from the band's upcoming album re-release, sounds like it could usher in a darker, heavier and overall rockier phase for the indie-pop outfit.
Daley 'Do I Wanna Know' (Arctic Monkeys cover)
Rising R&B star Daley takes on the brooding juggernaut that is Arctic Monkeys' 'Do I Wanna Know'. The song sounds even darker and sexier when played acoustically, the string accompaniment adding a woeful, yearning element. Daley's smooth, falsetto vocals sound better than ever.
Fryars 'The Power'
The 22 year old Londoner's material gets stronger the more we hear of it, and this latest preview from upcoming EP Radio Pwr is no exception. 'The Power' is an confident, catchy electropop single with an intriguing melancholic element that gets under your skin. We predict big things.
Anna Calvi 'Piece By Piece'
One of the standout tracks from the talented musician's new album One Breath, out this week, 'Piece By Piece' sees Calvi singing softly and breathily over a funky bassline and electronic beat, that develops into a beautiful flurry of strings and piano. Then heavy distorted guitars. Then back to the a sparse beat. Look a little deeper into the lyrics - "I will forget you, piece by piece" is the near-constant refrain - and it takes a rather heart-tugging turn; One Breath was written in the wake of a death of a loved one.
