Single Survey 06-11-11: Kasabian, Gym Class Heroes, Blue October, YACHT, 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 June, 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, free MP3s from Kasabian, Gym Class Heroes, Blue October, Male Bonding, YACHT, Washed Out, Stephen Malkmus And The Jinks, Jamie xx, Spank Rock, Vanessa Carlton, and more! 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!

Kasabian – “Switchblade Smiles” (Indie Rock) MP3

Opening like no other Kasabian song with electronic buzzes and aggressive percussion, the first single from the band’s upcoming Velociraptor! does indeed elicit a feeling of new-age dinosaurs…clubbing in Britain. “You feel it coming,” the band pronounce repeatedly, but it never quite feels like it gets here.

Gym Class Heroes – “Stereo Hearts (ft. Adam Levine)” (Pop) MP3
N

o. No no no no. Gym Class Heroes have beaten a steady path to self-destruction since their wonderful rap album The Papercut Chronicles, and now they’ve sunk to borrowing Adam Levine for a song that sounds like a Maroon 5 B-side and calling their new album The Papercut Chronicles 2, as if the name along will make fans curious. Sorry, guys, but anyone who liked your old stuff will shy away from this top 40 material, which tastes like watered-down Kool-Aid.

Taking Back Sunday – “This Is All Now” (Pop-Punk/Alt. Rock)

With a brand-new-old lineup and a fifth album on the way, Taking Back Sunday feel fresher than they have since Where You Want To Be. Adam and John are back to their old complementary call-and-answer vocals, and it feels great. The songwriting may have mellowed with age, but the band regains much of their edge simply by rocking out.

Blue October – “The Feel Again (Stay)” (Modern Rock) MP3

6 minutes of redemption for Justin Furstenfeld after the bland lovesong “The Chills” results in an emotional ramble. It doesn’t sound like Any Man In America will contain any radio hits to the quality of “Hate Me” — or even “Dirt Room” — but for fans, “The Feel Again (Stay)” will be as healing as a hug and a hand to hold. Too bad Justin never seems to grow up or increase in understanding of the world.

Analog Rebellion – “This Is My Fault (Do It to Me)” (Electronic/Indie)

It came as quite a shock to hear Daniel Hunter write something that sounds more like a Sunday-morning Wise Blood than his old electropop. He once cussed me out on AbsolutePunk.net, and I’ve never quite forgiven him for it — but I’m a step nearer thanks to these fuzzy vocals and interesting percussive track. When the track hits full stride in the last few seconds, it’s like an electronic orgasm. …though I wouldn’t know.

Vanessa Carlton – “Carousel” (Pop-Rock) MP3 (right-click and Save As…)

It’d be pretty hard not to mention pop-rock pianist Vanessa Carlton without referring to her breakout hit, 2002′s “A Thousand Miles,” a song that is already a classic — albeit an oft-mocked one. Carlton’s newest song doesn’t utilize a ridiculously-catchy piano hook, preferring to pound down some chords over introspective lyrics. It’s a good listen, but like most of the pianist’s work since 2002, it doesn’t stand out in a kill-or-be-killed scene.

Against Me! – “Russian Spies” (Punk)

The newest A-side from the 14-year-old Florida punk group celebrates the end of the Cold War…a little late, but hey — fuck you, McCarthy. That’s all the punks are trying to say.

Male Bonding – “Bones” (Indie Rock) MP3

It’s called “post-punk,” but perhaps it should be called “loud shoegaze” — the new track from these Sub Pop boys bonds over distorted guitars, faded vocals, and almost indiscernible lyrics muttered in the background. But somehow it comes across as trippy and exciting throughout its 6-plus minutes.

The Rapture – “How Deep Is Your Love?” (Electrorock)

The newest track from NYC dance-rock group The Rapture comes via Vimeo video of the vinyl record being played under a disco ball. It may not be the most hi-fi way to release a new track, but it makes for an interesting listen. Oh, and did I mention that the track is catchy as hell?

YACHT – “Utopia” (Indie Pop/Electronic) MP3

The montage of sounds that opens YACHT’s upcoming album gets faster and furiouser for 45 seconds, and then delves into the band’s idea of Eden — an unstoppable electronic garden of sounds. “We all know when we wake up that this is all we get,” they say, and though it may not pack the same punch as former GOLD-rated “I Walked Alone” (it’s also going to be this week’s “Song Of The Week“…oops, gave that away…), the song may get stuck in your skull.

Washed Out – “Echoes” (Chillwave) MP3

Never the most subtle of the wave of chill that has swept over the indie scene since last spring, Ernest Greene is completely at ease in his watery beats on “Echoes.” By the title, you might except a call-and-response melody, but…that isn’t very chillwave. Like most Washed Out tracks, it seems to end right as it’s hitting its stride; also like most Washed Out tracks, it’s extremely pleasant but never captivating.

Stephen Malkmus and the Jinks – “Senator” (Indie Rock) MP3

The Pavement singer knows “what the senator wants — what the senator wants is a blowjob” on the first single from his upcoming August 23 release. It’s about what you’d expect from the verbose frontman on a solo project, but it congeals into something loveable.

Balam Acab – “Oh, Why” (Electronic) MP3

One of the leaders of the new genre “witch house,” a Halloweeny take on the popular dance-music beats, Balam Acab’s debut album, Wander / Wonder, comes out August 30. This taste, however, sounds like a downbeat Battles until the electronica comes in around 2.5 minutes. Haunting vocals and scratchy vinyl feedback make for a chilling listen — about 4 months too early.

Weezer – “You Might Think (The Cars cover)” (Pop-Punk)

Jonathan Jones (We Shot the Moon) – “Wake Up (Arcade Fire cover)” MP3

Cee-Lo Green – “(You’re So Square) Baby I Don’t Care (Buddy Holly cover)” (Pop)

She & Him – “Oh Boy (Buddy Holly cover)” (Indie Pop-Rock)

Playing for Change – “Gimme Shelter (The Rolling Stones cover)” (World)

2CELLOS – “Welcome to the Jungle (Guns N’ Roses cover)” (Classical)

Jens Lekman – “Cowboy Boots (Acoustic)” (Indie) [MP3 link]

Jamie xx – “Far Nearer” and “Beat For” (Electronic) MP3s

New Crystal Dolls – “Save This Lovin’” (Indie Pop-Rock) MP3

Stars – “The Worst Thing (Whitey Jam)” (Indie Pop) MP3

Curren$y – “She Don’t Want a Man” (Rap) MP3

Spank Rock – “Energy” (Hip-Hop) MP3

The-Dream – “Body Work” and “Fuck My Brains Out” (R&B/Hip-Hop)

Motorboater – “Lessons” (Electronic) MP3

Blood Diamonds – “Grins” (Electronic) MP3

Pinsky – “Losing Touch” (Punk Rock)

Holy Other – “Know Where” (Electronic)

Vast Aire – “Thor’s Hammer (ft. Raekwon & Vordul Mega)” (Rap) MP3

Disclosure – “I Love… That You Know” (Electronic) MP3

Active Child – “Playing House (ft. How to Dress Well)” (Electronic/Indie Pop)

Saves the Day – “Undress Me” (Pop-Rock)

I Break Horses – “Hearts” (Electronic) MP3

Inc. – “Swear” (Electronic) MP3

BOBBY – “Ginger (Water Birth)” MP3

Sun Airway – “Wild Palms” (Chillwave) MP3

Glass America – “Mariner” (Indie Rock/Instrumental)

FattyDL – “Make It Difficult for You” (Electronic)

Big Sean – “So Much More” (Hip-Hop)

Gabriel Kahane – “Charming Disease” (Indie Pop)

White Wives – “Indian Summer, Indian Summer” (Indie Rock)

Library Voices – “Generation Handclap” (Indie Pop-Rock)

The Reveling – “Chasing My Tail” (Alt. Rock) MP3

The Venetia Fair – “I’m Still Amazed” (Alt. Rock)

Thundercat – “Daylight” (Electronic/Indie Pop) MP3