Eoin Butler's guide to downloads, singles and free audiostreams

ROBBIE WILLIAMS/ GARY BARLOW

Shame Virgin ***

"Words come easy when they're true." Perhaps not entirely coincidental, then, that Williams and Barlow claim to have written this country ballad in less than an hour, after being reconciled in LA earlier this year. Cynics will note that this came about only when it happened to be in the professional interests of both men (Robbie's album sales have been sluggish). But let's not be cynical – Shameis a perfectly pitched reunion single, nostalgic, funny and unexpectedly wise.

THE VASELINES

Sex With an X Sub Pop ***

“It feels so good it must be bad for me,” sing the also recently reunited Eugene and Frances. “Let’s do it, let’s do it again.” The indie vets (and Kurt Cobain favourites) are releasing only their second studio album.

McFLY

Party Girl Island *

I’ve listened to some vapid, bland, unoriginal and instantly forgettable pieces of crap in my time, but this absolutely takes the biscuit . . . In fact, what was I just talking about? I’ve forgotten.

CEE LO

Fuck You Elektra ****

Its runaway YouTube popularity took Elektra by surprise (hence this belated iTunes release.) But that's understandable. On first listen, Fuck Youseems rather toothless, with a slew of duff rhymes ("Girl, I'm sorry/I can't afford a Ferrari") more objectionable than the expletive in the title. But that, I suppose, is precisely its appeal. So it's a cheesy pop song with an expletive in the title. Richie Kavanagh has been doing it for years!

SUFJAN STEVENS

Heirloom Asthmatic Kitty ***

He's not nearly as verbose as he used to be, is he? Time was when Sufjan would have called this little ditty something like To the Miffed in Minnesota, to the Disenfranchised in South Dakota, I Have a Banjo Solo That Relates to Your Predicament. In comparision, Heirloom seems kinda miserly.