EOIN BUTLER's guide to downloads, singles and free audiostreams
FRANK OCEAN
Novocaine ****
The Odd Future man has written for everyone from Justin Bieber to Beyoncé. But he won't have found too many takers for this: the woozy, narcotic tale of a rap fan who amuses herself through dental school by making porno movies and pilfering from her school's supply closet. His reported next project is Jay Z and Kanye West's joint Watch The Thronealbum.
LITTLE ROY
Sliver/Dive
Ark Recordings****
Grunge fans will remember Dive and Sliver as the opening tracks from Nirvana's 1992 Incesticidealbum. But after hearing these versions by reggae artist Little Roy, they could be forgiven for assuming both were originally traditional old Jamaican anthems. Truly startling reinterpretations.
JINX LENNON
The Perfectly Formed Stars of Mullingar ****
"Someone once said to me that Mullingar is the Paris of the midlands . . ." Dundalk's answer to Mark E Smith, Jinx Lennon runs afoul of philistines in Westmeath on this amusing track from Hungry Bastard Hibernia. The album is available free at jinxlennon1.bandcamp.com
DRAKE
Marvin's Room
Young Money***
It's hard to quibble with Pitchfork's description of Marvin's Roomas a "messy, self-justifying drunk dial disguised as a cooing R&B ballad". Cheer up Drake, we've all been there. Well, minus the "cooing". (My personal speciality is the "whinge".) Drake's second album Take Careis due out this autumn.
HAM SANDWICH
Models
Route109 ***
Ham Sandwich recently made a surprise appearance on Come Dine With Me, where the band appeared to be held captive in contestant Darragh McCausland's cupboard. They now celebrate their newfound freedom with this live video filmed at Dublin's Academy. It's a tight performance, but not nearly as tight as guitarist Podge's shiny trousers. Good God, doesn't he need a licence for those?
