Eoin Butler'sguide to singles, downloads and free audiostreams
JAY-Z Jockin' Jay-Z (Dope Boy Fresh) Def Jam ***
On this leaked track from The Blueprint 3 album, our Roc-a- Fella rapper continues the summer's biggest music beef ("That bloke from Oasis said I couldn't play guitar/Somebody shoulda told him I'm a f***ing rock star"). I really wish Jay would just let this one slide. Noel Gallagher isn't Nas. What's the worst he's going to come back with? An "outspoken" NME interview? Speaking of which . . .
OASIS
The Shock of the Lightning
Big Brother
**
"Love is a time machine/up on the silver screen." Yes, it's back to the future on the first single from Oasis' Dig Your Own Soul album. The track doesn't exactly break a whole lot of new ground for the band. Meat-and-potato riff? Check. Sneery vocal? Check. Gratuitous Beatle reference? Check. Laughable pre-release hype? It's a "driving, pumping, pop-rock masterpiece" reckons Noel. Zzzz.
ROBOTNIK
A Secret Cake
Experience
***
Shuffle happened to catch Robotnik (aka Dubliner Chris Morrin) at the Button Factory last week. As a live performer, Morrin certainly demands an audience's attention - even if that means jumping off the stage and spraying every single punter present with a super soaker!
www.robotnik.mu
LITTLE JACKIE
The World Should Revolve Around Me
S
Curve Records
****
The brilliant first single from Imani Coppola's Little Jackie project is packed with memorable couplets. In one classic breakup line, she shrugs off another failed relationship: "I've got talent and I've got tits/And I know I'll find another guy who wants to get with it." A star is born.
SIGUR RÓS
Inní Mér Syngur Vitleysingur
XL
***
Finally, readers heading to the Electric Picnic this weekend will be no doubt be awaiting another superlative performance from Icelandic superstars Sigur Rós. But Jón Þór Birgisson has let the quality control slide lyrics-wise. "Minn besti vinur hverju sem dynur"? Er, hello! "Ég óska mér og loka nú augunum"? What is this, a bad Bjarni Thoraresen novel?