As if I needed another reason to rave about Hot Chip, I ran across two new tracks of theirs just a few minutes ago. Both tracks are apparently from a limited EP that was given to the first 200 people to arrive at a recent London gig. Thanks to the intarwebs, however, a lot more than 200 people are going to hear these tracks, and thank God for that. Not to play favorites, but you really, really need to hear “So Deep”, the EP opener. “So Deep” is Hot Chip at their best, a steamy, creepy slice of killer electro-funk. No word on whether or not these tracks will appear on the duo’s upcoming Made In The Dark, but we can always hope, right?

Hot Chip – So Deep.mp3

[From the Normal EP, which you're probably not going to get a hold of]

On a totally unrelated note, you can stream Ghost’s new album, The Big Doe Rehab in it’s entirety right here.

edit: Woohoo! First takedown notice since April!

It’s always embarrassing when a cover of your song turns out better than the original, but I can’t decide if that embarrassment would be lessened or exacerbated if the cover is included on one of your releases. Why? have been left to ponder that dilemma, with their latest EP including a brilliant cover of Yoyo Bye Bye by Xiu Xiu. While Why?’s contributions to The Hollows are nothing to scoff at, Xiu Xiu effectively steal the show with their single track. Breathless and frantic vocals over claustrophobic electro/rock instrumentation makes for a winning combination, at least for Xiu Xiu.

Xiu Xiu – Yoyo Bye Bye.mp3 (Why? cover) (Removed upon request)

[From The Hollows EP, out Nov. 27th on Anticon]

In case you haven’t already heard, Deerhunter’s Daytrotter Session was posted earlier today. It consists of two previously released songs; Heatherwood, and a personal favorite, Dr. Glass, along with two brand new songs, Activa and Calvary Scars, which may be the strongest material they’ve put out yet. Very impressive stuff.

Download the entire session here

Deerhunter – Activa.mp3 (Daytrotter Session)

For the past month or so, I’d been ignoring the blog-hype surrounding the self-released Forever Ago, For Emma. After all, blogs exist solely for hype, don’t they? I’m such a hypocrite, I know. Anyway, you may have heard that Justin Vernon (aka Bon Iver) recently signed to Jagjaguwar. Jagjaguwar is one of the few labels that I like to watch. They’re relatively small, at least compared to fellow indie-juggernauts Matador and Sub-Pop, but they tend to wield a similar, if not greater amount of influence than those two labels. Why? Simply put, they sign superior artists. Of the dozen or so Jagjaguwar releases I’ve heard this year, I can honestly say that I that I’ve liked every single one. Bon Iver is no exception. Considering the hyperbole that generally riddles blog press (I make no claims of innocence here), I’ve found that for Bon Iver, the bloggers are spot on. Forever Ago, For Emma is a modern folk near-masterpiece, filled with deeply intimate songs of the most skeletal sort. Justin Vernon’s ghostly falsetto resonates with melancholy and sincerity, something that’s sorely missed in these days of manufactured “indie” hits. If you’re tired of such artists, then please, turn your attention to Bon Iver. He deserves it.

Bon Iver – Skinny Love.mp3

[From Forever Ago, For Emma; self-release available now, out early 2008 on Jagjaguwar]

“Our world, our lives, our bodies, they are constantly changing. But there’s a rhytm that runs through it all,” Glass Candy’s latest album begins, “And that’s where we’ll find our true selves. We live in a universe of transformation, but the heavenly beat is a constant.” I’m not sure if I believe them, but if there is a heavenly beat, Glass Candy have definitely found it. Despite the flood of italo-disco revival artists that have emerged over the past few years, Glass Candy have always managed to stay at the head of the movement. Ida No’s vocals and Johnny Jewel’s beats complement each other perfectly, engendering a sound that evokes the genre’s 80’s heyday, while injecting a gorgeous vein of neo-noir. Do not miss out on this.

Glass Candy – Etheric Device.mp3

[From the B/E/A/T/B/O/X Tour-CD]

Not exactly surprising, but I’ll take any Chan I can get.

Cat Power – Song To Bobby.mp3

[From Jukebox, out January on Matador]

A dark horse contender if I’ve ever seen one.

Burial – Raver.mp3

[From Untrue, out this month on Hyperdub]

And I’ve discovered some things:

-Early Cat Power sounds a lot like Kim Gordon.

-I miss Stylus.

-of Montreal had a much better sense of humor in the nineties.

-Dustin Hoffman did not resist the urge to eat the bathtub.

-Inland Empire is the greatest movie ever.

-The Road is still my favorite book.

-I can’t choose between the Pixies and Pavement.

-Bob Dylan is an acceptable deity.

-So is Bill Murray.

-Zodiac is a very good movie.

-I miss OiNK.

-The Glow Pt. 2 will expand your mind given the opportunity.

-The Hold Steady almost killed me.

-Weeds is no longer good.

-I should not drink caffeine.

-The second season of Dexter is even better than the first.

-I have no clue how I feel about Wilco.

-The Childcatcher is one of my favorite songs.

-I’m developing a crush on Roisin Murphy.

-Tom Waits is very cool.

-The I’m Not There OST is much better than your average soundtrack.

Cat Power – Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again.mp3 (Bob Dylan Cover)

[From the I'm Not There OST, out now on Columbia]

In case you didn’t already know (I didn’t until just a few moments ago), it was four years ago today that Elliott Smith passed away. Losing such a prominent young musician is always difficult, and the suddenness of his death only exacerbated the already tragic situation. It’s hard to overstate what a massive blow his death was to all of us, but Sweet Adeline has summed it up with all the brevity Smith would have wanted:

“elliott, you are still in are hearts, and sorely missed. xo”

Elliott Smith – Bled White.mp3

[From XO, released 1998 on DreamWorks]

I’ve had this on repeat for longer than I care to disclose. I’m sure you’ll feel the same way after your eight listen.

Daft Punk – Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger (Alive 2007).mp3

[Out November 20th on Virgin]