It’s Friday, which means that another week is over — cue wild cheers! — and also that it’s time for another installment of our regular roundup of downloadable MP3 goodness from around the web. This week there’s a new track from the ever-prolific Johnny Jewel and Chromatics, along with Hype Williams’ suitably strange tour EP, various material from Australia, covers of varying quality from Wall and Nite Jewel, our very own Silent Drape Runners getting all Christmas-y, and various other action as well. Since all this costs precisely nothing, what are you waiting for? All the download links await after the jump.
Chromatics — “Cherry” If you’re not following Chromatics main man Johnny Jewel on Soundcloud, you’re missing out — he’s right up there with Dâm-Funk and Marissa Nadler as far as constant sources of downloadable goodness go. This track is taken from the upcoming After Dark II compilation, to which we’re very much looking forward. In the meantime, you can download “Cherry” for free here.
Hype Williams — “London 2012” Yay for new Hype Williams! Following up from last week‘s new song, this is the band’s entire tour EP, comprising 20 minutes of weirdness (and lots of rapping.) Get it via Soundcloud.
Spencer P. Jones and the Nothing Butts — “When He Finds Out” The Nothing Butts in question are Gareth Liddiard and Fiona Kitschin of The Drones, which makes this new track from Australian pub rock layabout and Beasts of Bourbon guitarist Spencer P. Jones interesting listening indeed. The Drones have a new record out later in the year, apparently, but for now you can get this track here — it’s up until December 4.
Flume — “Star Eyes” While we’re in Australia, here’s a track from precocious Sydney producer Flume, who may or may not take his name from a Bon Iver song but makes vaguely witchy downbeat electronic music. He’s won plenty of hype (and a support slot with The xx) in his native land. Grab this track via Pitchfork and see what you think.
Nite Jewel — “PYT” In which Nite Jewel covers Michael Jackson. Hmmmmm. Get it here.
Wall — “Something On Your Mind” Also on the covers tip, here’s a cover of Karen Dalton’s “Something On Your Mind” by the rather mysterious singer who goes by the name of Wall. We’re generally all for anything Dalton-related beautiful, and Wall sounds uncannily like the great ’60s folk singer’s at times, although her voice is rather more delicate and less world-weary than Dalton’s. This is probably a good thing, for Wall’s sake if nothing else. Anyway, you can get this track via her Soundcloud.
Silent Drape Runners — “Allz Eye Want For XXXmas Iz U” There’s a scientific explanation for the murderous impulses that Christmas music induces in us, but we’re happy to report that this cover of Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You” — by our very own Silent Drape Runners, no less — is a rare exception. You can get it via their Bandcamp.
Jim James — “Know Til Now” Having thankfully abandoned the “Yim Yames” moniker, My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James is releasing a solo album called Regions of Light and Sound of God. It’s not out until February next year, but you can download this track for today only via KCRW.
Helado Negro — “Dance Ghost” We first heard of Helado Negro — a pseudonym, we’re assuming, since his name means “black ice cream” — via the excellent collaboration he did with Julianna Barwick earlier this year under the name OMBRE. His own work is worth investigating, too — “Dance Ghost” reminds us of a rather more melancholy El Guincho. Get it via Stereogum.
Superhuman Happiness — “See Me On My Way” And finally, here’s something a bit more cheerful from Superhuman Happiness, who apparently include members of Brooklyn neo-Felaists Antibalas and are as generally upbeat as their name might suggest. If you’re feeling down today — and if so, God knows you’re not the only one — the horn section and general air of exuberance may give you something of a pick-me-up. The song is available for free download here — you may need to go for some right-click action to save a copy.