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.
Today, we’ve got Nas and Amy Winehouse, Kanye West and Pusha T, Blur, and more.
“Cherry Wine” by Nas and Amy Winehouse
Another great track from Nas’s upcoming album, Life Is Good, this one sampling James Brown’s “Funky Drummer” and featuring soulful vocals from Amy Winehouse. It’s a double throwback, with Winehouse sounding straight from the 1960s (note the scat singing near the end), while Salaam Remi’s production emanates from the ’90s, the vibe Nas should be (and is) going for.
Man, that photo of Nas trying to shield Amy from the paparazzi is so sad…
“Let’s Boot and Rally” by Iggy Pop and Best Coast
A little messy (not unlike the show it’s on the soundtrack for, True Blood), but I like the idea of Iggy and Best Coast covering a Cramps’ song, which is basically what this is. I could do without the image of Sookie blowing chunks, though.
“Under the Westway” by Blur
The reunited band’s first single since 2009, “Under the Westway” is a mournful piano ballad that brings to mind Aladdin Sane-era David Bowie. I like it a lot, but still: Pulp > Blur
“New God Flow” by Kanye West and Pusha T
It felt odd putting together a Best Albums of the Year (So Far) list, knowing that Cruel Summer comes out exactly one month from tomorrow. I wasn’t blown away by “Mercy,” but if the rest of Cruel sounds like “New God Flow,” with its Ghostface Killah sample and Late Registration swagger, then it’s going to be pretty damn high on December’s updated list. Even the military chant ending sounds purposeful when it’s coming from ‘Ye.
“Loco-Motive” by Nas and Large Professor
Did I mention I was excited for Life Is Good?
“Watch the Corners” by Dinosaur Jr.
If you told me “Watch the Corners” was a Bug B-side, I’d believe you, when in fact it’s actually a new song from Dinosaur Jr.’s soon-to-be-released 10th album, I Bet on Sky. The only difference is that it’s a bit more relaxed and hookier, but there’s still room for guitar virtuoso J. Mascis to drone and wail midway through.
“Call Me Maybe Acapella 147 Times Exponentially Layered” by Dan Deacon
The future of music, when versions of “Call Me Maybe” play over versions of “Call Me Maybe.” Dan Deacon is either brilliant or out of his f*cking mind. I’m not sure he knows, either.
