EOIN BUTLER'Sguide to downloads, singles and free audiostreams

THE FLAMING LIPS

Bohemian Rhapsody **

Much of The Flaming Lips' recent career seems to be devoted to trolling their fanbase. There was a track-by-track cover of Dark Side of the Moon, rumoured plans to do the same for the Stone Roses' debut, and now this full-length version of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody. This is no half-assed karaoke, but a faithful recreation (Scaramouche, Galileo, Figaro, the works.) Of course, the video is interspersed with shots of a nude sunbather dousing herself in guacamole, just so you're never 100 per cent sure that it's real, and not some weird, lucid dream. youtube.com

KURT VILE

Wakin on a Pretty Day

Matador ***

Kurt Vile's forthcoming record, due out in April, is a 70-minute double album called Walkin on a Pretty Daze. Fully 10 minutes of that generous running time will be occupied by this (almost eponymously titled) single. It's a likeable slice of early 1990s slacker rock, available as a free download on the band's website ( kurtvile.com).

RITA ORA

Radioactive

Roc Nation ***

The Rihanna copyist appears to be giving herself a wedgie in the video for the fourth single from her Ora album. Although in this context, I believe the correct term is an “atomic wedgie”.

JAMES BLAKE

Retrograde

Universal Republic ****

On previous singles, London singer-songwriter James Blake perpetually sounded as though he were trapped in a cupboard with a bunch of synths and movie smoke. Here he is hecked by a bunch of football terrace foghorns, but the result is no less captivating. A welcome return.

LITTLE GREEN CARS

Harper Lee

Glassnote Entertainment ***

Produced by Markus Dravs (Mumford Sons, Arcade Fire, Coldplay), Harper Lee is the opening track from the Dublin five-piece’s debut album, Absolute Zero, which is due for release in May. Little Green Cars play Dublin’s Button Factory in Temple Bar on March 8th.