Kevin Courtney's guide to singles downloads and free audiostreams
Never mind Daft Punk: Calvin Harris has invited tout le monde to his gaff for a 1980s-style disco house party. In a brilliant promotional wheeze for this single, Calvin is getting fans to hold their own house parties on Saturday, August 18th. See www.calvinharris. tv/merrymaking atyourplace/ for details on how to participate, but don't tell your folks.
Tim DeLaughter has summoned his alt.rock apostles together again, and now they're really reaching for the stars. This instantly catchy tune will have you instantly signing up for the cult of Spree. Get a free eight- minute mash-up of their new album, The Fragile Army, at www.polyphonicspree.com.
Break out the After Eights - Kila have a new album, Gambler's Ballet, and this timely tune sees Ronan O'Snodaigh and his merry minstrels happily mashing up various rootsy styles. There's even a baggy nod to Pachelbel's Canon in the coda.
With the fab Shingai Shoniwa on bass and lead vocals, and crack guitarist Dan Smith at the helm, this London three-piece could soon be stealing the alt.rock crown from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. The trio can bring on the noise, but they also do rollicking acoustic guitar wigouts like this one.
Yes, that robotic refrain is sampled from Daft Punk; the French dance duo even appear in the video wearing their trade- mark helmets. Meanwhile, Kanye woos his woman with such seductive lines as, "you can be my black Kate Moss". Watch the Akira-inspired video, shot in Japan, on www.kanyewest.com.
These days, partying like a rock star means sipping Evian water, munching tofu crackers and going to bed by 11pm with nothing more racy than tomorrow's itinerary. Still, we can always dream. This joint by the Atlanta "hood rock" crew has everything but the mudshark. Watch all the rockstar behaviour on www.shopboyzonline.com.
