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Every week we tell you what a stonking seven days it's been in terms of new music, but this time round we really do have a stellar collection of new tracks to round up the week with.
For one thing there's a new Prince track, and murmurings of a possible new record, for another we've got a top-notch new single from Bastille.
As if that wasn't enough, a hint of new music from The Knife sent us on an online treasure hunt, and there's a dazzling new collaboration from Disclosure and AlunaGeorge.
As ever, we've brought them all together in one place for your weekend listening. Enjoy!
Prince - 'Screwdriver'
New music from Prince is always a reason for some modicum of excitment, given that the pop genius has proven his songwriting brilliance time and time again. New track 'Screwdriver' is a decidedly rocky affair, with chugging swaggering guitars and a lyrical content concerned with life on the road and ultimately just being really f**king cool. The track was leaked on Twitter by someone calling themselves @3rdeyegirl. Given the three eyes which appear on the bass drum in the YouTube clip, it's thought the Twitter account might be aprt of a promotional campaign for a forthcoming new release from the artist former known as the Artist Formerly Known As Prince, who's now known as Prince.
The Knife - 'Fuelled By Fire'
After a mysterious teaser trailer featuring several pairs of feet appeared at the end of last year, we all started getting very excited about the prospect of the return of The Knife. Before long it was confirmed that new album Shaking The Habitual was indeed on it's way. This week we got our first taste if the form of nine minute long 'Fuelled By Fire', which appeared first as a clip and then last night (January 24) in full form. Tracking the full clip down quickly became something of an internet browsing challenge with EMI rushing to take the track down again - it's being released next week - but a little perseverance will get you there nine times out of ten.
Noel Gallagher - 'Oh Holy'
If there was one thing this week that got UK music fans hot under the collar, it was the news of an unheard Noel Gallagher track leaking online. Entering with a strummed accoustic guitar and an earthly whirring in the background, 'Oh Holy' comes to life witha bristling electric guitar line. It's thought the track was recorded back in 2010 when Noel was working on songs for his debut album with High Flying Birds.
Paramore - 'Now'
Tuesday (January 22) saw US rockers Paramore not only reveal the tracklisting for thier self-titled fourth album, but also the unveiling of the first track from their new record - 'Now'. True to form, the new single sees the group stick to their tried and tested formula of keeping one foot firmly planted n the US rock scene that made them while stretching their remaining limbs towards the mainstream. "If there's a future, we want it now" Hayley Williams sings over the chorus, so their as eager to get on with the release of their new album as their fans are.
The 1975 - 'Chocolate'
Hotly tipped Manchester guitar-band The 1975 premiered new single 'Chocolate' this week. The track is a shimmering slice of promising, innovative guitar music that lends credence to the theory that 2013 is going to be the year of the guitar bands. The album is due in May and, alongside first single 'Sex', the new single will have fans' mouths watering in anticipation.
Dave Grohl with Ghost - 'I'm A Marionette'
The consistently prolific Dave Grohl hass managed to find time out from his documentary-making, supergroup-forming day to day life to get behind the drum kit for this cover of ABBA's 'I'm A Marionette' with Swedish metal band Ghost, which was unveiled this week. Grohl made no secret of his love for metal when he record his Probot album with metal royalty in 2004, and his performance on this track is instantly reminiscent of that record.
Lana Del Rey - 'Summertime Sadness' (Monsieur Adi Remix)
This week also saw Lana Del Rey's 'Summertime Sadness' get the remix treatment from Monsieur Adi. This dancified version of the track retains Lana's sultry, slinky vocals in their entirety and adds a sleazy retro bass and and a thumping kick drum while synths grind and whir away to creat an electrified soundscape that lifts the track to new heights.
Mykki Blanco - 'Kingpinning'
Cross-dressing rap star Mykki Blanco gave us the rather excellent 'Kingpinning' this week with a video featuring gimp masks and transexuals. Blanco's deft lyrical flow makes the track, although the prodcution execution is fairly on point as well. In a hip hop landscape that's becoming steadily more crowded, Mykki Blanco's doing a great job of making sure he stands out.
Disclosure ft. AlunaGeorge - 'White Noise'
We've saved the best 'til last (or our favourite, at any rate) in the form of a collaborative effort between two of the UK's most exciting new electronic acts - Disclosure and AlunaGeorge. Aluna Francis' voice slides flawlessly over the track, demonstrating her innate ability to voice dance tracks. The track's not actually due for release until February 17, but since it appeared on Soundcloud its's been played 375,1227 times, favourited by 13,450 people and recieved nearly 800 comments. Wow.
