EOIN BUTLER's guide to downloads, singles and free audiostreams

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN

We Take Care of Our Own****

Columbia

The first single from Springsteen's 17th studio album is (yet) another of The Bosses' barnstorming, state- of-the-nation addresses. Like Born in the USA, the title reads like a boast, but the sentiment contained in the song is far more ambiguous. "From the shotgun shacks to the [New Orleans] Superdome," he sings. "We yelled help but the cavalry stayed home."

LEONARD COHEN

Going Home****

Columbia

The opening track from Old Ideassees Leonard Cohen, both the artist and the man (the latter given short shrift by the former, as "a sad, lazy bastard living in a suit"), contemplate shuffling toward the exit. That he does so with incredible panache probably goes without saying.

ISLANDS

Hallways***

Anti Records

Only in January can a song expect banner headlines for its supposed ability to cheer you up. The Huffington Post front page splash goes on to state that Islands' A Sleep & A Forgettingalbum will be released a fortnight from now, on Valentine's Day. Which probably just depressed everyone all over again.

SANTIGOLD

Big Mouth****

Roc Nation

The video by Cody Critcheloe is besotted with cartoonish early-1990s hip-hop – I’m amazed Kid n’ Play don’t pop up with a cameo at some point. (Prediction: Kid n’ Play will cameo in someone’s video before 2012 is out.) The track is excellent, of course.

MILEY CYRUS

You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go**

Hollywood

Here’s a forgettable rendition of a song never destined to be carved upon the Mount Rushmore of Bob Dylan’s greatest compositions. Nonetheless it’s worth a listen if just to hear the former Disney starlet describe a past relationship as being a bit “like Verlaine and Rimbaud”. Which relationship was that then, Miley? It was that Jonas Brothers guy, wasn’t it?