iTunes: Free Tuesday
Once again, TUAW is pleased to present you with a selection of free songs and videos from around the world. Many of these iTMS items won't be free for long, so grab your copies before the week is up. And don't forget: If you want to buy these on your iPhone or iPod touch, make sure to sign into your account in iTunes before you sync.
US
US: Pedro Capó,
Each week, we find a track from an artist or a band who's on the cusp of success and bring it to you, for free, as our Canción de la Semana. Puerto Rico's Pedro Capo delivers us a free track this week. Capo has been writing songs on the guitar since he was barely a teenager. "Esta Noche" features his poetic lyrics and romantic style against some brass section accents and a mellow reggaeton vibe.
US: Raheem DeVaughn,
Each week we find a track from an artist or a band we've been enjoying and bring it to you, for free, as our Single of the Week. The song we are featuring this week also happens to be nominated for a GRAMMY® for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. The track mixes DeVaughn's laid-back, Marvin Gaye-esque croon against a classy, tinkling, piano-addled groove. But the lyrical spins about women (special, beautiful, strong, grown) gives the gift of empowerment in under four minutes.
US: Breaking Bad, Breaking Bad
Emmy®-nominated veteran actor Bryan Cranston (Malcolm in the Middle, Little Miss Sunshine) heads the cast of Breaking Bad, portraying Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher whose life is suddenly transformed by a dire medical diagnosis. Aaron Paul (Big Love) plays Jesse Dupree, a street-savvy former student who "teaches" Walter a new trade. Anna Gunn (Deadwood) is Walter's pregnant wife Skylar, an enterprising homemaker. Dean Norris (Little Miss Sunshine) is Walter's boisterous and crude brother-in-law Hank who happens to be a federal drug enforcement agent. Betsy Brandt (CSI) plays Walter's sister-in-law Marie, and R.J. Mitte (Hannah Montana, Weeds) is Walter's son, Walter Jr., whose teen angst is further complicated by cerebral palsy.
International Music
Australia: Bluejuice,
Each week we find a track from an artist or a band we've been enjoying and bring it to you, for free, as our Single of the Week. Storming into our collective consciousnesses late last year were Australian gents Bluejuice. Sporting a collection of alt-dance anthems, the band released their debut album, Problems, and spawned singles that mixed up bits of soul, hip-hop, and funk that were so catchy you were left humming them for days. "Vitriol" is the perfect example of this - 150 seconds of drums, keyboards, guitars, and a whole heap of swagger.
New Zealand: Bluejuice,
Each week we find a track from an artist or a band we've been enjoying and bring it to you, for free, as our Single of the Week. Storming into our collective consciousnesses late last year were Australian gents Bluejuice. Sporting a collection of alt-dance anthems, the band released their debut album, Problems, and spawned singles that mixed up bits of soul, hip-hop, and funk that were so catchy you were left humming them for days. "Vitriol" is the perfect example of this - 150 seconds of drums, keyboards, guitars, and a whole heap of swagger.
Canada: Sarah Slean,
Each week we find a track from an artist or a band we've been enjoying and bring it to you, for free, as our Single of the Week. For those who have been following Sarah Slean's career, "Get Home" will probably just solidify what you've already known for years. For those new to Slean's piano-based pop, you're in luck. This track from her upcoming album, The Baroness, has a bluesy, sultry weight to it, but Slean's voice is wounded and wondrous - hurt, but still packing some resilience behind it. Similar in style and execution to Fiona Apple, Slean allows some true emotion to rise to the surface.
Nederland: No free track this week.
UK: Vampire Weekend,
Each week we find a track from an artist or band we've been enjoying and bring it to you, for free, as our Single of the Week. Imagine a quirkier, catchier version of the Shins, but with a love affair with '80s collegiate style and Paul Simon's Graceland. Strange but true and totally endearing. "(One) Blake's Got A New Face" is a minimal, stuttering funk with chirping synths and highlife harmonies.
France: Fredo Viola,
Chaque semaine, nous trouvons un morceau d'un artiste ou d'un groupe que nous avons apprécié et nous vous le faisons partager.À la fois réalisateur de clips vidéo et musicien, Fredo Viola, Italo-américain né à Londres, possède des idées à la pelle, des nobles, des branchées ou encore des bizarres. En vrai poète de l'electronica, il peut se transformer en une sorte d'orchestre techno à lui tout seul en utilisant uniquement son synthétiseur. À l'instar d'une artiste comme Camille, le principal outil de composition de Fredo Viola est sa voix qu'il lui suffit ensuite de retravailler pour créer de purs morceaux de pop à vous donner des frissons dans le dos. « The Sad Song » est l'un d'entre eux, et c'est notre Single de la semaine sur iTunes.Si vous aimez ce morceau, obtenez l'album ici.
Japan 今週のシングル: Special Others,
ブレイク直前の新進アーティストをボーダレスにご紹介するこのページ。今週は、横浜出身のジャムバンド、Special Others。ジャム形式ながらしっかりしたグルーヴとキャッチーなメロディで、クラブシーンでも注目を集めている希有な存在だ。東京スカパラダイスオーケストラ、Modeski Martin & Wood そして Ego Wrappin らを含むイベントのオープニングアクトにも続々出演、これから人気が高まること間違いなし。2月に発売予定のアルバム「QUEST」にも収録の"Laurentech" を一足早くフリーダウンロード。
