song reviews

The theme of this spirited cover (from Springsteen's new LP, due January 14th) is bedrock Bruce – the struggle for love and prosperity in a nation where, as original songwriter Tim Scott McConnell put it, "you pay for everything." The revelatory beat merges Caribbean percussion, New Orleans swing and Bo Diddley stomp, topped with scorched-earth wah-wah guitar from Tom Morello. It's music that pushes past desperation into the rotten heart of Saturday night. | More »

U2's return starts like funky church–synth-choir hosanna and the gentle hammering of electric piano – and rolls with steady, compelling restraint. Bono fires a few bolts of falsetto in the chorus, and the Edge's terse guitar break suggests the ring of a wounded church bell. But "Ordinary Love" is about the seeds of dreams, and U2 play it perfectly: down-to-earth, while looking up. | More »

The young U.K. dark-groove producer who lent next-level flavor to Yeezus drops an awesome slice of bass grind. Proof that yesterday's avant-EDM producer can be today's mainstream hip-hop beat hero. | More »

The Welsh crew delivers a spot-on cover of Galaxie 500's signature tune. When Alanna McArdle lets out a bloodcurdling scream, she drags nostalgia into now and lays it at your feet, bloodied, beautiful, new again. | More »

The YouTube pinup is every hypothetical American girl's dream: a cherub in a backward hat, sweet with the slightest hint of edge. "Banga! Banga!" is his best single so far – a primary-color pop rap pinned to a massive chorus that sounds a little Beach Boys. | More »

The new LP from Danger Mouse and James Mercer of the Shins is called After the Disco, and that's the vibe here. The duo dive into pillow-talk soft rock and Bee Gees harmonies as they spin a soul-sad ode to a hooker who sounds like she walked out of Steely Dan's "Pearl of the Quarter." | More »

David Bowie is no stranger to songs about space, drugs or spooky girls – but he tops himself with "Like a Rocket Man." It's one of the great bonus tracks added to the deluxe version of his latest album; it's a slinky guitar shuffle where he quotes Taxi Driver ("I'm God's lonely man") and chases a go-to girl named Little Wendy Cocaine. Finally: Bowie steals his rocketman concept back from Elton John. | More »

The indie singer-songwriter's new EP is titled it's a big world out there (and i am scared), and this lovely, Spartan track – just droll fingerpicking, mush-mouthed intimacy and bedroom drum-machine patter – makes Vile's pain cave feel like the International House of Backrubs. | More »