Bon Iver - 22
Jagjaguwar
In a short essay posted to Bon Iver's official website, Justin Vernon's close friend Trever Hagen describes the singer in the midst of what sounds like a nervous breakdown during the recording of this song. Which may explain some of the song titles on the band's forthcoming third album. Tracks slated for inclusion on 22, A Million include 10 dEAThbREast and ___45___. It's either a cry for help, or he's spilled juice on his keyboard.
Maija Sophia - Stains
Irish singer-songwriter Maija Sofia uses permanent marker on her arms and legs in this new video for Stains. It's a metaphor for some romantic tribulation, presumably. Time heals all wounds, Majia. (But you might want to try Swarfega for the other thing...)
Lambchop - The Hustle
City Slang
If, like me, you lost track of Lambchop back when they could still loosely be catagorised as alt-country, you may have trouble believing this epic electronica track is even them. But then Kurt Wagner's vocal drops and all is right with the world.
Neil Hannon & Cathy Davey - Tiffin Tin
"I want to put my tiffin in a tiffin tin," sings Neil Hannon, over a din of tinny keyboards and barking-dog sound effects, while Cathy Davey dances around manically wearing a Scream mask. "But I can't find a shop in which to buy that thing / A tiffin tin / A tiffin tin…" Well, if this were Mark E Smith's new single, I'd call it a stunning return to form. But coming from songwriters as polished as this pair, one has to suspect that something is amiss here. And one would be correct. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Father Ted's classic Eurovision episode, Electric Picnic organisers are looking for entries for a Rubbish Song For Europe contest. And who better to get the ball rolling than the co-writer of My Lovely Horse?
