Single Survey 07-30-11: Washed Out, M.I.A., Mayday Parade, & more

Every week, The Tune publishes a survey of the newest songs making their way around the internetz 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.

We’re only a few months into 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 Cobra Starship, CANT (Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear), M.I.A., Mayday Parade, The Big Pink, Neon Indian, Washed Out, Never Shout Never, Mogwai, Death In Vegas, Gauntlet Hair, and many more! 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!

Cobra Starship – “#1Nite” (Electropop) MP3

Holy Autotune, Batman! Back in May, we gave Gabe Saporta’s newly-popular electropop side-project’s new single “You Make Me Feel…” a rare SHIT rating, but his newest track boasts a thumping club beat that — well, that we’ve heard on the radio nonstop for a few years now. Props to Gabe for knowing how to churn out potential hits like an unstoppable antiTaupin, but damn, dude…use your powers for good, not pop!

M.I.A. – “27” (Electronic/Experimental) MP3

Concerning this track, released the day after Amy Winehouse‘s death last week, M.I.A. said “i recorded this song B4 vickileekx and never put it out. its a unfinished demo. R.I.P A.M.Y.” It’s a fitting tribute, featuring off-kilter beats and blurry vocals that sound like hip-hop-Björk. “All rock stars go to heaven,” M.I.A. insists to the newest member of The 27 Club to a woman she considered her friend, and you may be inclined to believe her against your better sense.

Mayday Parade – “Oh Well, Oh Well” (Pop-Punk) MP3

When this Tallahassee band’s last album, Anywhere But Here, reached #31 on the Billboard charts, I was shocked — mostly because I remember them as the witty pop-punkers whose “Jamie All Over” I found when it was merely a demo from an unknown group. But the album was solid despite its naysayers, and now the band are back with an arena-sized power-pop-punk ballad that makes Green Day sound like they belong in clubs.

The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus – “Dreams” (Alternative Rock)

The line “in my dreams, it’s you I see/ I can’t do this alone” may not have been uttered word-for-word before, but it’s been expressed in rock songs since the invention of the genre. A towering chorus and post-hardcore instrumentation are certainly energizing, and this has all the trappings of a hit on rock radio (but who listens to that anymore?), but this band is now the millionth rock band to use the line “I’m not perfect.”Obviously.

CANT (Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear) – “Answer” (Electronic) MP3

This Grizzly Bear doesn’t hibernate: new blissed-out synthpop from the multi-instrumentalist is 100% pure gold, with an ’80s aesthetic not unlike Talk Talk. Each layer that is added lifts the song to a higher plane of electronica, and by the end you may be left breathless.

Neon Indian – “Fallout” (Chillwave) MP3

Through constant reading of the hipster-ready review site Pitchfork, I’ve noticed that they frequently rely upon one single adjective to describe a new song — CANT got “bent” (gay…?) and this new track from the chillwave frontrunners is “twinkling.” But not like a “little star” — more like extraterrestrial club music. I’d go with “shiny” or “shimmering” rather than “twinkling,” but that’s just me.

Washed Out – “Wicked Game (Chris Isaak cover)” (Chillwave) MP3

I’ve heard quite a few covers of this 1989 super-hit, but this track is exactly what Ernest Greene promises — washed out like a beach pounded by waves — and I’m fairly certain that no artist will ever surpass this cover. The song sounds like it was made for the chillwave subgenre, and Greene’s wispy vocals elevate the recording to cloud nine.

The Big Pink – “Lovesong (The Cure cover)” (Indie) MP3

According to the band’s SoundCloud page, where this was posted, the cover has been around since early 2009, but its opiate-heavy version of the 1989 hit sounds nothing like The Big Pink’s 2009 debut, A Brief History Of Love. It’s filled with ominous synthesizers straight from Lucifer’s dancefloor, and at all times it seems ready to melt into druggy sex.

Joker – “Here Come The Lights” (Electronic) MP3

Dubstep producer Joker is possibly my favorite in the much-maligned genre, but his newest track is quite disappointing, focusing on club appeal rather than artistic foreplay. I had hoped for better.

Opeth – “The Devil’s Orchard” (Prog Metal) MP3

The Swedes’ 10th album is their most experimental yet, as demonstrated by this 6:40 track, which sounds like Dream Theater on painkillers — in a good way. Go ahead, pick an apple off the tree… it won’t hurt you.

Laura Marling – “Sophia” (Folk) MP3

Playing with bands like Mumford & Sons, Laura Marling is gathering steam after releasing three albums since 2008. Her folk- and bluegrass-influenced ethos frequently wanders into Tori Amos territory, but don’t write her off as soft rock; when she insists that “I’m a good woman and I never did say whatever it was that you did that day,” you won’t believe her.

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah – “Maniac” (Indie Pop) MP3

The newest three minutes from the east-coast indie crossovers is a rollicking good time while it’s there…until it just isn’t, blowing away without warning on a breeze of distortion. For a “maniac,” however, this is rather tame — Heath Ledger’s ghost is laughing in scorn.

Gauntlet Hair – “Top Bunk” (Chillwave) MP3

Awash in reverb and sticky electronics reminiscent of Panda Bear’s latest solo effort, Denverites Gauntlet Hair sound like they spilled a milkshake all over their studio. The band has toned it down a notch since last year’s breakout single “I Was Thinking…,” and now solidly fit into the chillwave genre. But they do it with gusto, as if they’re the only band in the Denver electronic scene with the chops to go national… and they very well might be.

Never Shout Never – “Time Travel” (Electropop) MP3

When Christofer Drew sings of “glorified dirt” on his newest single from his upcoming September release, it certainly seems as if he’s talking about his own music. But at least he’s learning, as the new track throws together HQ bedroom production with an unabashed desire to craft better songs while not losing his fanbase. Just when you think the song’s going to end on a sugary note, Drew starts chanting “I don’t know what I’ve been told/ I will sell my soul to rock and roll.” I dare you to do it, Drew. I dare you.

The Cinema – “Picasso” (Indie Pop-Rock)

One of the best lines of the year (“Does he draw like Picasso/ When he traced your finger with his eyes”) anchors this heartfelt pop-rock song featuring Leighton Antelman’s (of Lydia) unique voice. It dips and lifts like a skatepark, but the ambiance is more cultured than athletic.

Death in Vegas – “Your Loft (ft. Katie Stelmanis)“(Electronic) MP3

Last week’s “cling & clatter” is surpassed by this slow-burner, featuring Austra‘s Katie Stelmanis. Her worldly and wet warbles are rarely discernible as actual words, but your heart will still ache as if she were reading each and every secret of your life just by looking in your eyes.

Mogwai – “Get To France” (Alternative Rock/Instrumental) MP3

New Agey piano and lamenting strings open up the new Mogwai EP (September 13) with grace and elegance, and you may be reminded of Danger Mouse’s spaghetti western Rome from earlier this year.

Astronautalis – “Dimitri Mendeleev” (Hip-Hop/Indie Pop-Rock) MP3
-”won’t be held back” is a perfect theme for this Minneapolis alternative artist

Psychic Babble – “Samantha” (Indie Pop-Rock)
-Circa Survive guitarist made BRONZE 2 weeks ago, but this number bops addictively

Spank Rock – “DTF DADT” (Hip-Hop/Experimental)
-new B-side from Naeem Juwan is a ski trip in a House of Pain industrial factory

Frightened Rabbit – “Fuck This Place” and “The Work” (Indie)
-ft. Camera Obscura and folker Archie Fisher, respectively, 2 songs from a tour EP

Death Cab for Cutie – “Twisterella (Ride cover)” (Indie Pop)
-a relatively lo-fi cover of an obscure early-’90s shoegaze band

Real Estate – “Barely Legal (The Strokes cover)” (Indie Pop) MP3
-Stereogum’s tribute to The Strokes’ Is This It is highlighted by this gentle interpretation

Geoffrey O’Connor – “Whatever Leads Me To You” (Indie Pop) MP3
-throwback pop, chic synths, and an au courant bassline make this irresistible

The Gay Blades – “Just Kids” (Indie Pop) MP3
-NJ pop’s gotta be beachy without being bitchy, and this sequel to MGMT succeeds

Widowspeak – “Nighcrawlers” (Indie Rock) MP3
-Pitchfork’s adjective (see: Neon Indian, above) is “smoky,” but it’s more “careening”

Clams Casino – “Wizard” (Electronic/Instrumental) MP3
-the Adult Swim Singles Program hasn’t failed yet; this one goes to warp negative-42

Grouplove – “Close Your Eyes And Count To Ten” (Indie Rock)
-it’s a big, big song that shows these L.A. pop-rockers are aiming for the sky

Mikal Cronin – “Get Along” and “Apathy” (Indie Rock)MP3s
-something like Wavves covering The Monkees, these pop with nappy frizzle

Rewards – “Equal Dreams (ft. Solange Knowles)” (Electronic) MP3
-sexy dance music featuring Beyoncé‘s sister

ME & LP – “Bonnie Says (No Shitty Ride)” (Indie Pop) MP3
- …O_o…damn. Now that’s some worldly pop music.

Erika Spring – “6 More Weeks” (Indie Pop)
-indie pop masterpieces keep coming in July – one from Au Revoir Simone‘s frontlady

No Age – “Male Masturbation (The Urinals cover)” (Indie/Punk) MP3
-that’s vintage static right there

The Kills – “One Silver Dollar (Marilyn Monroe cover)” (Acoustic) MP3
-it’s a big covers week, and a 1954 throwback from Ms. Mosshart & co. meanders

Hot Water Music – “Up To Nothing” (Punk Rock)
-iconic Floridians are back to business as usual on this new B-side

Banquets – “Forever Bender” (Pop-Punk)
-another bouncy rocker from the New Jersey guys

This Love – “Fly Away” (Pop-Rock)
-their take on pop-rock is decidedly careful, and lacks the immediacy of the genre

Giant Drag – “Meowch” (Indie)
-Annie Hardy’s whimsical vocals highlight this awesomely-titled and messy crescendo

Cuckoo Chaos – “Just Ride It” (Indie Pop) MP3
-funky San Diego pop from one of the best band names in the history of music

Elite Gymnastics – “So Close To Paradise” (Electronic) MP3
-tropical drums made P4K call this “chillwave becomes heatwave” – very apt

Case Studies – “Lies” (Folk Rock) MP3
-going to lake cabins to record folky music is kinda popular right now…

Total Babes – “Be So True” (Indie Rock) MP3
-all you have to do is turn a sleek pop song into wool and you’re “indie,” now

Comet Gain – “An Arcade From The Warm Rain That Falls” (Indie Pop-Rock) MP3
-first album in 6 years from the Britpop experts seems dated and repetitive

Chrome Sparks – “Doubt, No” (Electronic) MP3
-samples from a 20-year-old add up to an enjoyable weirdness

STS – “Cliché” (Rap) MP3
-bling rap posturing without the fame to back it up

Radio People – “A Vague Year” (Electronic)
-Kraftwerk-indebted electronica is an Alan Parsons instrumental that never ejaculates

We Are the in Crowd – “Rumor Mill” (Pop-Punk)
-big hooks and lots of power chords — nothing new, but it’s fun

Alex Ebert – “Truth (ft. RZA)” (Folk/Indie) MP3
-lonesome whistling and introspective talk-singing make this fit for a campfire

Motion Sickness of Time Travel – “Day Glow” (Ambient) MP3
-wispy, luminous synths travel to galaxies far, far away

Mode Moderne – “Real Goths” (Indie Pop) MP3
-part Depeche Mode, part Washed Out, you should probably check these guys out

Pill – “Scottie Pippen Tim Duncan” (Rap) MP3
-Gothic beats like “H.A.M.” that’s actually hard as a motherfucker

The Pack A.D. – “Sirens” (Punk Rock) MP3
-snarling, head-bopping garagey indie from Canada

Peter Dragontail – “Crazy Bout You” (Electronic/Indie Pop) MP3
-7.5 minutes of piano & dance beats from a Philly producer who likes wizarding

The Front Bottoms – “Maps” (Indie Pop-Rock) MP3
-imagine if Say Anything were raised on alt-country…

THEESatisfaction – “Do You Have Time” (Hip-Hop/Indie) MP3
-creative Sub Pop female-led hip-hop

Sleepyhands – “We Being Human” (Folk Rock) MP3
-as folk continues to go mainstream, everyone’s picking up a banjo