From left, Prince; Cornel West.Photo: Getty Images
His Name Is Cornel, and He Is Funky
1. Cornel West and Prince, “Dear Mr. Man”
In this unlikeliest of collabos, Prince wonders, “What’s wrong with the world today?” Problem 1: Insane purple-suited funk legends making songs with blowhard sociologists. [Pampelmoose]
2. The Crimea and Regina Spektor, “Raining Planets”
If you like this spacey slice of Pixies-ish indie rock (with an odd little poem from spooky Regina Spektor as an intro), you’re in luck: The Crimea have made their entire new album available for free at their official Website. [Faronheit]
3. Toadies, “Beauty School Drop Out”
It’s back-to-school time, which means the kids are out of the house, the college freshman are learning about booze, and covers from long-forgotten post-grunge bands are unearthed for thematic effect. [Covert Curiosity]
4, Department of Eagles, “No One Does It Like You”
Featuring one half of Grizzly Bear and a dude named Fred, Department of Eagles make scratchy, low-fi Casio-pop with hooks as big as arena anthems. [Music Is Art]
5. Papoose, “Fitted Hat Low”
Along with Saigon, Papoose is a next-big-thing rapper whose album seems perpetually on hold. In the meantime, he’ll keep burning up mix tapes and regretting his past associations with Busta Rhymes. [Gillmore Boy]
—Kyle Anderson