Final Track: 7 Must-Hear Songs Of The Week

It’s impossible to cover each bit of new music that comes out during the week, so every Friday, we’ll be doing an end of the week music roundup. It’s called Final Track, and we’ll count off a few songs released during the week that are worth giving a listen to. (Banner via)

Today, we’ve got selections from the Strokes, the Dirty Projectors, Nickelus F w/ Drake, and more.


“One Way Trigger” by the Strokes

A new Strokes song today was quite the surprise, but is it any good? Well, it’s the Strokes, so “One Way Trigger” deserves at least a cursory listen, but with its glitchy 1980s feel, the track sounds like it could be by an unknown band submitting a song to the Wreck it Ralph soundtrack. The Strokes have been morphing into something further and further away from rock with each album, and if “One Way Trigger” is any indication, the Strokes upcoming fifth record will do away with the genre altogether.

“Climax” by the Dirty Projectors

The Dirty Projectors playing an Usher song actually makes more sense than you might assume. (Plus, singer Amber Coffman worked with “Climax” producer Diplo on a Major Lazer track.) They’re a band that’s fascinated by and occasionally dabbles in R&B (so many sexy falsettos), and their cover is fairly straightforward, if a little minimalist.

It’s also goddamn great.

“Number 15” by Nickelus F w/ Drake

For more on “Number 15,” check out the Smoking Section.

“Statues” by Hüsker Dü

One of the must-buy special releases on Record Store Day this year (April 20th) is a four-song 10-inch from Hüsker Dü, recorded in 1980, three years before the band’s first full-length album. “Statues” is Hüsker at their early lo-fi punk best, and in fact was one of the two tracks, along with “Amusement,” Bob Mould and Grant Hart recorded in hopes of securing a record contract with Twin/Tone. The label signed the Replacements instead. So, win-win?

“Torn Maps” by Bosnian Rainbows

Or, a song from the band that broke up the Mars Volta.

“I’m a Marionette” by Dave Grohl and Ghost

Dave Grohl and a Swedish metal band covering ABBA? Yes, please.

“Kendrick Lamar Freestyle” by Kendrick Lamar

Focus on his right hand in the video; it’s fascinating. He’s going to be so good on SNL.

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