Photo: Press
This week has been full of more confusing weather than we dare think about and what with this, "is it summer? Is it Winter?" confusion still boggling our minds, the only thing we can pretty much rely on is the hottest new music that's dropped this week.
From brand-spanking new singles from the likes of massive names like Justin Timberlake and The Killers to the weird but wonderful sounds of Drenge, Lulu James and James Blake - wrap your ears around this lot and enjoy the best tracks that this week has to offer.
The Killers 'Shot At The Night'
New single 'Shot At The Night' is taken from the band's upcoming collection album, Direct Hits 2003-2013. Produced by French electronic band M83, the track has distinct pieces of The Killers' sound from across each album, with Brandon Flowers' vocals echoing amongst the electronic beats that are layered on top. Wonderful stuff.
Azealia Banks, 'Count Contessa'
Despite her debut album release being pushed back a number of times already, and there still being no official release date, US rapper,Azealia Banks has unveiled a track that is not to feature on the album, but on her next mixtape Fantasea II, out next year. The track features the recognisable word play of Banks, blurred with high-tone synth sounds and rhythms. If this has been left off her debut record, then we'd love to hear what actually made the cut.
Lulu James, 'Sweetest Thing'
The Northen singer delivers another sensual and soulful track in the form of 'Sweetest Thing'. With her blend of dulcet vocal harmonies and effortlessly cool, slick melodies the track is sure to gain her a lot of recognition. Geordie never sounded so gorgeous.
SBTRKT, 'IMO'
DJ and producer SBTRKT, otherwise known as Aaron Jerome, dropped new track 'IMO' to his Twitter fans recently. Stating that it wasn't a single or promo material for his new album, but a track in memory of his brother. We're sure that he'd be proud of this fitting and magnificent tribute.
Justin Timberlake, 'TKO'
Taken from his album The 20/20 Experience Part 2, which is available as of September 27th, 'TKO' follows along a similar path to the previous singles from JT. With funk-inspired rhythms, a hint of beatboxing and Justins' casually smooth vocal providing yet another ear-pleasing track - despite breaking the 7 minute mark.
30 Seconds To Mars, 'Stay'
In typical 30STM fashion, the guys rocked up to BBC Radio 1 this week to put on a dramatic performance in the live lounge. Putting their own spin on Rihanna's single 'Stay'. The band kept it as a ballad, but adding a whole other level of passion and edge to it with Jared Leto's gritty vocal tones bellowing out over the piano melody. It's a weird world where RiRi meets Bon Jovi.
James Blake, 'Life Round Here' (remix feat. Chance The Rapper)
After stating that he felt the song was 'never quite finished', James Blake has remixed his own song 'Life Round Here', which features on his critically-acclaimed Mercury-nominated album, Overgrown. Roping in Chance The Rapper for a little appearance on the track after Blake was so impressed with his performance at SXSW.
Beck, 'Gimmie'
After releasing a pair of stand-alone singles recently, 'Gimmie' is the third release from Beck, though there doesn't seem to be any news on a future album. The track is a big bundle of boppy xylophone melodies and warped vocals all sounding a bit off-beat and mashed up, but somehow it works.
Drenge, 'Ready To Start'
On the other end of the Radio One covers spectrum are brothers Drenge, with their blues-grungey cover of Arcade Fire's 'Ready To Start'. The pair blasted out the cover on Zane Lowe's show recenty incorporating bending guitar twangs and wacking the distortion up, proving they can take on anything and make it their own.
