John Maus — "The Combine"
Singer-producer John Maus's first single in six years, "The Combine," sounds like an epic soundtrack to a video game boss battle. The song's hypnotic music video features distorted, psychedelic imagery of rural landscapes.
LCD Soundsystem — "oh baby"
Back from a seven-year-long "retirement," James Murphy's LCD Soundsystem has finally released its fourth studio album, "American Dream." The Roy Orbison-like melody and steadily building synths of "oh baby" make for a compelling intro track and highlight.
The National — "Day I Die"
On The National's latest impressive single, singer Matt Berninger ruminates with dark humor about love and mortality. "Young mothers love me / Even ghosts of girlfriends call from Cleveland / They will meet me anytime and anywhere," he sings.
Frank Ocean — "Provider"
Frank Ocean's seventh edition of his Apple Music show "Blonded Radio" concluded on Sunday with a new single, "Provider." The laid-back, pitch-shifted track finds Ocean contemplating relationships, fame, and fatherhood in his customary mode of offbeat lyricism.