Single Survey 04-23-11: Free and legal MP3s from The National, Yeasayer, Atmosphere, and more!

Every week, The Tune will publish a survey of the newest songs making their way around the internets and the music world in general. Despite the name, it is not just reserved for newly-released CD singles, but rather for any new songs from albums that have not been released yet. The songs will mostly be ones that have leaked/been published over the former week, but occasionally we will throw in little-known tracks from the last few weeks or months that never made it onto our survey. Again, the only condition is that the album has not been released yet. EPs and singles are okay. We are also introducing a new rating system for singles, one that is somewhat unique. Rather than rating the songs based on a 5-star scale, a thumbs up/down scale, or having no rating system (isn’t that annoying?), we will give them prizes not unlike sporting events: Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Shit.

Here in April, we’re just starting to try out this concept of an entire week’s worth of new songs in one place, with streaming links and our new rating system, so make sure to leave us some feedback and let us know what you think! You can comment at the bottom of the post or email us with the form on the right (and slightly down). This week’s survey includes new songs from Beyoncé, The National, Weird Al Yankovic, Danger Mouse, Yeasayer, Death Cab for Cutie, and Deerhunter, as well as a kick-ass single from the upcoming debut album of indie pop/electronic group Jessica 6. This is a huge Single Survey, so take your time and make sure to listen to some of the unreviewed tracks at the bottom! If you’d like to write a review for any, go to our Staff page and apply to write for The Tune. Also, look for the red MP3 tag for free and legal downloadable songs!

The National – “Exile Vilify” (Indie Rock) MP3

A free MP3 from one of rock music’s premier artists of the last few years is not something to be laughed at — but this track isn’t as much of a fun puzzle as the game it’s from (Portal 2). “Does it trouble your mind the way you trouble mine?” Matt Berninger asks over bittersweet piano riffs and string sections, as the song approaches corny. It never quite reaches that mark — but it never quite reaches a summit either, leaving the listener halfway up the mountain and wondering why he has to turn back already.

Death Cab for Cutie – “Some Boys” (Indie Pop)

For some reason, I’m getting flashes of LCD Soundsystem‘s “Drunk Girls” in the lyrics for the third track that’s been released from the upcoming Death Cab album, May 31′s Codes And Keys. Not unlike the beating of summery, bright helicopter blades, “Some Boys” ponders questions about…well…some boys…but it never reaches a real crux.

Danger Mouse – “The Rose With The Broken Neck (ft. Jack White)”

The third track from the upcoming Danger Mouse/Danielle Luppi album Rome is nearly as brilliant as the previously-released collab with Jack White, “Two Against One.” White ponders through strangled vocals how “lonely I feel, and lonely I bleed/ lonely I trust, and lonely I must be the rose with the broken neck” over half-Italian half-indie pop instrumentation that elicits a Mafia-like eeriness.

Weird Al Yankovic – “Perform This Way” (Comedy/Pop) MP3

Lady Gaga evidently vetoed this new Weird Al parody of her 2011 hit “Born This Way,” and no wonder, since it’s Weird Al’s worst since “Ode To A Superhero,” and he indirectly calls Gaga “a human jelly bean.”

Yeasayer – “Swallowing The Decibels” (Indie Pop/Electronic) MP3

Yeasayer – “Phoenix Wind” (Indie Pop/Electronic) MP3

After last year’s critically-acclaimed release Odd Blood, Yeasayer followed with a 7″, released on Record Store Day, entitled End Blood, which contains these two tracks. Both are masterpieces of experimental pop music — the former has a hook to die for and the latter is a somewhat loungey, bluesy number with a kickass bass line. The release was called End Blood because Yeasayer want to move on from that album, sonically.

Beyoncé – “Run the World (Girls)” (Hip-Hop/Pop)

The newest track from the world-famous recording artist is somewhere between Rihanna and M.I.A. It’s got heavy bass, annoying samples of sounds, and bipolar jumps from crispy, cutting vocals to TLC-like sweetness with no warnings.

Brian Eno – “Glitch (ft. Rick Holland)” (Electronic) MP3

Some people think this is creative. We don’t. It’s somewhat like a MacBook writing slam poetry — but hell, it’s still better than actual slam poetry.

Deerhunter – “Noseblood” (Indie Rock)

A new B-side from Deerhunter’s weird-yet-beautiful 2010 album Halcyon Digest. “Noseblood” plays like blurry Blur track with a ’70s pop-rock addiction.

Jessica 6 – “Prisoner of Love (ft. Antony Hegarty)” (Electronic/Dance)

I really, really, REALLY wanted to hate this song because Mr. Hegarty — the singer of Antony & The Johnsons — is an absolute douchebag. But I can’t, because it’s one of the most addictive dance tracks I’ve heard all year, and it blows Foreigner‘s song of the same title out of the water. Look for Jessica 6′s debut album, See The Light, on June 7.

My Morning Jacket – “Octoplasm” (Instrumental Indie Rock)

An instrumental track from MMJ’s Self-Hypnosis Series for their fan club, this is a jazz fusion track that is pleasant, but altogether unfulfilling.

Beastie Boys – “Say It” (Rap)

The newest track from the white rappers’ upcoming May release is certainly easier on the ears than last week’s disaster, “Tadlock’s Glasses,” but it still lacks the hooks and wordplay that made the Beastie Boys a household name.

The Swellers – “The Best I Ever Had” (Pop-Punk) MP3

The title may have already been taken by Vertical Horizon — and Drake — and many more artists, but The Swellers are making it their own with this well-produced track, which sounds like Relient K covering a Dangerous Summer song.

Atmosphere – “Which Way Is Up?” (Indie Rap) MP3

Only days after their latest album, The Family Sign, here’s a new stoner B-side from one of the biggest indie rap groups ever.

Emanuel & The Fear – “Vampires” (Indie Rock)

The newest song by this unknown indie rock group adores its juxtapositions, like strings over blips, and recalls both The Dear Hunter and Cursive. Its cacophonic ending, like a Disney soundtrack made for Jack The Ripper, is as chilling as it is quirky. It’ll be on the June 10 release of the Hands EP, so look for it!

Daphne Loves Derby – “Strawberry Eyes” (Pop-Rock)

The Washington (state)-based Daphne Loves Derby have pretty much fallen off the map for the last 4 years, but their laid-back stylings haven’t diminished during the time. “Strawberry Eyes” is as Coldplayish as it sounds — if Coldplay were an indie acoustic band.

O’Death - “Bugs” (Indie Folk-Rock) MP3

This Brooklyn-based folk-rock group has flown under the radar for years, but if this single is representative of their new album Outside, they might be on their way up. “Bugs” is as addictive as it is short.

Swimming With Dolphins – “Sleep To Dream” (Indie Pop/Electronic)

The Morning Benders – “Oh Annie” (Indie/Acoustic)

Washed Out – “You And I” (Chillwave) MP3

Spiders - “Where Does This Leave Us Now” (Indie Rock)

Vacationer - “Trip” (Indie Pop/Electronic) MP3

Prince Rama – “Lightening Fossil” (Experimental) MP3

Com Truise – “Polyhurt” (Instrumental/Electronic) MP3

Sparks the Rescue – “The Weirdest Way” (Pop-Punk)

Santah - “White Noise Bed” (Indie Rock) MP3

Karl Blau - “Celebrate By Singing” (Jazz/Pop-Rock) MP3

Farewell Continental – “Dagger, Dagger: Terror Terror” (Alternative Rock) MP3

Snowman - “Hyena” (Indie/Experimental)

Bullion - “Canterbury Mix” (38 minutes of avant-garde ’60s music mixed together)

Vybz Kartel – “Go Go Wine” (Hip-Hop)

Hail Mary Mallon – “Smock” (Rap)

Ratcliffe - “Tightrope” (Electronic)

Implodes - “Oxblood” (Ambient/Experimental) MP3

Late Nite Wars – “Rock, Paper, Bitters” (Pop-Punk)