Prince: Manic Monday

While it’s fairly common pop knowledge that Prince wrote “Manic Monday”—which ended up being a breakout tune for The Bangles—almost nobody (except the band) had heard his 1984 demo, until now. Along with archival footage of Prince rehearsing for his Purple Rain tour (which occurred the same year he wrote “Manic Monday,” and countless other songs), the original version has been released—some 35 years later. …

Brittany Howard: History Repeats

This track is the first single from Alabama Shakes vocalist Brittany Howard’s new solo venture and forthcoming album, Jaime, due out 20 September. Howard is best known for the soulful and bellowing persona she embodies on the band’s tracks, but here her style is more experimental and expressive. “It’s about me. I’m pretty candid about myself and who I am and what I believe. Which is …

Moto Bandit: Keanu: Weaponized

Spirited and a little silly, Nashville-based Moto Bandit (aka Ben Merlotti and Dennis Pickett) has just released their debut, “Keanu: Weaponized.” The track is intoxicatingly upbeat and anchored by surf-rock and pop-punk influences. From the duo’s off-beat lyrics (“Skinny dipping to the rhythm / I need a burger and a side of fries”) to the track’s steady crescendo, it’s a brief but infectious ride that …