Tuesday, January 6, 2009

SINGLES FILE

A weekly playlist for the listener with a one-track mind.

Jadakiss featuring Faith Evans: "Letter to B.I.G." In the latest, not exactly greatest leak from the "Notorious" soundtrack, Jadakiss updates Biggie on earthly goings-on. He laments the rise of ProTools and the decline of rap and promises that he, Jadakiss, is poised to take over hip-hop at a moment's notice. That last part might be a little optimistic.

Lykke Li: "Knocked Up" The perennially on-the-verge Swedish electro temptress gives a smoldering lounge-pop makeover to one of Kings of Leon's best-known tracks. Tragically, it's not "Sex on Fire."

The Bird and the Bee: "What's in the Middle" The perky, terrifying duo returns with a late-January sophomore disc, from which this more-robust-than-usual track hails.

Kanye West featuring Sly Polaroid and Timmy G.: "Payback" (unreleased) It turns out Kanye wasn't always, you know, good. This from-the-vaults track is of an indeterminate vintage, but considering its lack of vocoders and singing and its vaguely-dated feel, it's probably kinda old.

Andrew Bird: "Anonanimal" Bird is probably the most famous New York Times-blogging, whistling violinist ever. As you might expect, his upcoming (but already copiously leaked) new disc is inexpressibly awesome. And not just because there's a prog-rock song about animals on it. Although that's mostly why.

-- Allison Stewart