1. Marnie Stern, “Don’t Stop Believin’” (Journey cover)
We might’ve like the Sopranos’ ending a little more if we’d been able to hear Stern’s fractured, frenetic cover before the series evaporated into nothingness. [Stereogum]
2. Lupe Fiasco, “Accept the Troubles”
On this newly unearthed demo, Lupe claims he’s a “fast learner,” which is pretty evident here because the track isn’t very good and it wasn’t recorded that long ago. [Pretty Much Amazing]
3. The Relationship, “Ugly Things”
On this track, Brian Bell (also of Weezer) insists that “somewhere there’s a place where ugly things and broken things belong.” This track doesn’t blow us away, but it definitely doesn’t belong there. [Pitchfork]
4. The Dream feat. Lil Jon, “Booty”
The Dream shows that he’s definitely a single-issue voter on this new track, in which he says he just wants to “see the booty.” [First Up!]
5. Friendly Fires, “I’m Good, I’m Gone” (Lykke Li cover)
Friendly Fires add a trance-y dance beat to mellow out Lykke Li’s single, but it’s still “all good.” [Gorilla vs. Bear]