Lorde likes the chemicalBlasted across the headlines is the fact that Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Lorde is curating the soundtrack for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1. Lorde’s “Yellow Flicker Beat” was released a couple weeks ago, and now a new track, titled “This Is Not a Game,” has surfaced, which features The Chemical Brothers, Miguel and the aforementioned “Royals” star herself. Along with that track being unveiled, so, too, has the tracklist for the soundtrack, which hits stores on Nov. 17. Have a listen to the song below.St. Vincent’s aural vaultAfter releasing the excellent St. Vincent, Annie Clark has another release up her sleeve, which’ll see the light of day on Nov. 28, aka Black Friday, aka Record Store Day. A multitude of artists are contributing new works (including Jenny Lewis, Conor Oberst, OutKast, The Flaming Lips and more), but this is especially exciting considering the two tracks on said 10” (“Pieta” and “Sparrow”) were recorded during the sessions that yielded her latest stellar record. So keep an eye out for that.Interpol’s desireI lost track of Interpol after Turn On the Bright Lights, but that doesn’t mean I’ve lost my ability to muse about the goings-on of the group … or does it? Regardless, the band has come out with a video for their track “My Desire.” That comes off their latest LP El Pintor, which is out and available for purchase. View the vid below.Dream of the streamLet the album streamage commence. Fist up, we have …Honor Is All We Know by California punkers Rancid. I never was that big of a fan, but I’m sure there are a large number of mohawked aficionados that are screaming for joy over this one. Head over to iTunes Radio to give that a listen, or pick it up next week in a store near you. Next, we got With a Little Help From My Fwends by The Flaming Lips, which is a cover/tribute album to The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. That’s streaming over at NPR. Enjoy! EDITOR’S NOTE: Album streams are only available for a limited amount of time. Apologies if they’re taken down by the time you click these links.Stefani don’t like liesThe ageless queen of poppin’ and rockin’ is back … at least the poppin’ side. Gwen Stefani announced a while back that she was coming out with a new solo record, and she’s graced the masses with a video for the album’s first single (“Baby Don’t Lie”). Judging from this track, she’s going for more of a radio-friendly, club-bouncing tune. Not sure when her solo record will hit stores and online markets, but fans can drown in the sounds of this little ditty in the meantime.A Swift entranceCountry singer-songwriter-turned-pop singer-songwriter Taylor Swift has been leaking tracks from her upcoming record 1989 (which drops next week) for a spell. Her latest is the album’s opening track “Welcome to New York.” So if you’re just itching like crazy for that to hit the music-sphere, this tune might satiate your nerves. Head over to Stereogum to give that a listen.Pandas & bearsWhile I’m not that big of an Animal Collective fan, Panda Bear’s solo work always stood out, especially Young Prayer. Aside from that, there’s not much I know about Mr. Bear, other than the fact that he’s coming out with a new record (following 2011’s Tomboy). That album is titled Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper, and that gets released on Jan. 13, 2014. And to get folks excited ’bout it, he’s come out with a video for album track “Mr Noah,” which is up for viewing below. Dylan & The BandWhat with Bob Dylan and The Band’s Basement Tapes coming out on Nov. 4, how’s about a little cover of John Lee Hooker’s “Tupelo,” that the band recorded during those sessions in the basement. Hear that over at Stereogum.Rae’s “Bluebird”Did you know that a Paul McCartney tribute album, titled The Art of McCartney, is coming out on Nov. 18? I didn’t either! But now that we know, let’s take a gander at Corinne Bailey Rae’s lovely rendition of Paul McCartney & Wings’ 1973 tune “Bluebird.” That’s available for consumption below. Enjoy!Sia wants you to smileIf you’d never heard of Sia, then 2014 must have been some sort of grand introduction with her record 1000 Forms of Fear skyrocketing her into the spotlight (even though she neglected to show her face in interviews and music videos). Now Sia’s been tapped to do a few songs on the soundtrack for the upcoming rendition of the hit musical Annie. And one has been made public: her modern take on “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile.” Have a listen over at Time.
Rooster Roundabout: This Week’s Music Highlights
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