Eoin Butler's guide to downloads, singles and free audiostreams
GRUFF RHYS
Shark Ridden Waters ****
"Help! A song in the form of a large silver shark was discovered off the west coast of Wales." Odd, because, really, the last place in the world evoked by this sublime track is the cold, grimy Irish sea. Shark Ridden Waterssounds like it was written by a man on a hammock, sipping a brightly coloured cocktail somewhere in the Caribbean. A perfect antidote to autumn, the laconic Welshman plays solo dates in Galway, Belfast and Dublin next month. gruffrhys.com
TINCHY STRYDER
Second Chance
Island **
Apparently Tinchy Stryder can’t believe he got a second chance at love. Hey, I was surprised you got a first chance, Tinchy, so count your blessings.
PERFUME GENIUS
Learning
Matador ****
Having previously been dismissive of Mike Hadreas’s credentials as the supposed heir to Daniel Johnston’s primitivist crown, I’m happy to take it all back. “No one will answer your prayers,” he sings. “Until you take off that dress.” Extraordinarily powerful.
GROOM
The Golden Age,
Popical Island ****
It may be a golden age for the Irish music scene, but Groom’s Michael Steven remains the guy standing outside in the rain with his nose pressed against the glass. Much like Britpop-era My Life Story, Groom have an outsider edge that provides a nice counterbalance to their chamber pop pretensions. This is one of their finer moments.
DIANA VICKERS
My Wicked Heart
RCA ***
Anthony Kiedis is reportedly considering legal action against the former X Factor starlet over the spooky similarity between her new single and Red Hot Chilli Peppers' Under the Bridge. Kiedis has a case – and Vickers' lawyers won't be happy that she has already admitted to repeatedly listening to the band's anthem before composing My Wicked Heart.Oh, her big mouth.
