The Mighty Stef - Milk White Tears
Many thoughts go through a man's head as he cradles his new born child for the first time. In the case of new dad Stefan Murphy, one of those may have been "If I have to feed and clothe this kid for the next 18 years, I'd better start writing me some hits." Because sure enough, the Dublin singer's ode to fatherhood is one of the most anthemic and radio-friendly tracks he's ever written. (Imagine a large dollop of Arcade Fire's Antichrist Television Blues, with a pinch of U2's The Wanderer.) The Mighty Stef's fourth album Year of the Horse launches in Whelan's, Dublin on April 10th.
Brian Wilson - Sail Away
The closing track on the former Beach Boy's 11th solo album No Pier Pressure sounds like an elegy for his storied, 54-year music career. "Don't be sad," he sings, to a gorgeous piano accompaniment. "There was a time and place for what we had." Bizarrely, the song was originally recorded as a duet with Lana Del Rey, but her contribution ended up on the cutting room floor. Probably for the best.
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Earl Sweatshirt & Action Bronson - Warlord Leather
On this bonus track, issued to mark the release of both Action Bronson's Mr Wonderful and Earl Sweatshirt's I Don't Like Shit, I Don't Go Outside albums, the two rappers celebrate (what else?) smoking blunts and spending money in a profligate fashion. Hip hop: always pushing the envelope . . .
Shamir - Call It Off
As an effeminate black Muslim kid growing up amongst Mormons in a suburb of Las Vegas, it's safe to assume Shamir Bailey's school days weren't always easy. The 20-year-old has since relocated to Brooklyn and says this upbeat party anthem is about "the transformative joy we feel when we finally get ourselves out of bummer situations." His now eagerly awaited debut album Ratchet is due for release next month.