Well, folks, it’s officially August. The summer is coming to a close, which is sad on all counts. One of the best ways I know to get over a bout of depression (like the one the ending of summer will certainly bring) is to dive headfirst into music, new or old. The comfort of old favorites can bring a sense of nostalgia that has the ability to cheer you up in no time. As far as diving into old music goes, seing as how Lollapalooza begins today, we might suggest you dust off some old My Morning Jacket, Coldplay, or Eminem. Whatever floats your boat. New music, however, can bring hope for the future. A sense that with the changing seasons one thing will remain constant: good music. All right, I’m off my sad sack soapbox. Here are, without a doubt, the top 10 mp3s of the week. – Winston Robbins

Best Coast – “How They Want Me To Be”

Best Coast unveiled one of the year’s best videos last week, but that doesn’t mean they still can’t make headlines this week. Bethany Cosentino dropped this track a few days back, the first taste from what will eventually become their sophomore LP. And though it’s only a demo, the track is as solid as can be. If this version of “How They Want Me To Be” is a demo, imagine what it’s gonna sound like when recorded properly. No, really. Imagine. Go. -Winston Robbins

Best Coast – “How They Want Me To Be”

Canon Blue – “A Native (Madison)”

Backed by Amiina, better known as Sigur Rós’ string section, Daniel James, aka Canon Blue, comes off the blocks with a chamber power-pop morsel. When you have something akin to “driving violins”, that’s a step in a good direction. -Jeremy D. Larson

Canon Blue – “A Native (Madison)”

Cymbals Eat Guitars – “Definite Darkness”

As Cymbals Eat Guitars ready their sophomore followup Lenses Alien, lead singer Joseph D’Agostino is still as scattered as ever. But that’s a good thing, and so is the scatterbrain guitars of this track which gives you something to dig into as well as float on. -Jeremy D. Larson

Cymbals Eat Guitars – “Definite Darkness”

Das Racist – “Michael Jackson”

I don’t even know who the joke is on anymore with Das Racist, and I think that’s the point. Even if they’re shrouded in layers of irony and goofs like the gaggle of comedians they are, all you have to do is craft a hook like this and it all washes away. This may be the late entry for the jam of the summer. -Jeremy D. Larson

Das Racist – “Michael Jackson”

Jens Lekman – “An Argument With Myself”

Swedish heartthrob Jens Lekman is all prepped and ready to drop his An Argument With Myself EP. To keep us enticed (oh, and what a job he’s doing), he hit us off with a little taste of the EP, the title track to be precise. It’s afro-pop, it’s spoken word, and it’s blissful. ‘Nuff said. -Winston Robbins

Jens Lekman – “An Argument With Myself”

jj – “We Can’t Stop (Feat. Ne-Yo)”

Swedish outfit jj’s never been shy about their love for hip hop in all its forms, so the fact that they just dropped a track with a legitimate hip hop artist (Ne-Yo to be exact), makes all kinds of sense. What doesn’t make so much sense, however, is how Adult Swim keeps on cranking out incredible tracks week after week. Seriously, those guys don’t miss a beat. jj’s track is the latest addition to the collection and it’s just as good as the others. -Winston Robbins

jj – “We Cant Stop” (feat. Ne-Yo)

Katie Dill – “Bluish” (Animal Collective cover)

This track serves several purposes. On the tertiary, it highlights Animal Collective’s heart-felt songwriting of late by stripping away all but two layers of the Merriweather Post Pavillion track “Bluish”. Secondarily it serves as an entry for those unversed in both AnCo and Katie Dill‘s work, but primarily it showcases Dill’s outstanding vocal performance as she snakes her way through this ballad. Dill fronts the Deleware band Mean Lady, which I also recommend. -Jeremy D. Larson

Letting Up Despite Great Faults – “Teenage Tide”

This little ditty may have gone unnoticed by the masses, which is unfortunate since it’s possibly the pick of the litter this week. L.A. trio Letting Up Despite Great Faults dropped their latest EP Paper Crush earlier this week, with this track as the centerpiece. “Teenage Tide” is just further proof – pop-centric shoegaze will never die and thank goodness. -Winston Robbins

Letting Up Despite Great Faults – “Teenage Tide”

Neon Indian – “Polish Girl”

Neon Indian made the Top 10 cut last week with their big-league banger “Fallout”, and it doesn’t appear that they have any intention of slowing down. No matter that their sophomore album Era Extraña isn’t slated to drop until September 13th, they decided to crank out another hit, this one possibly even better than the last, which is saying a lot. It certainly carries a deeper pop vibe, and is immensely catchy. This could very well be an autumn season ruled by Neon Indian. -Winston Robbins

Sleep ? Over – “Romantic Streams”

This slow electronic cut is courtesy of Austin, TX’s own Stefanie Franciotti (aka Sleep ? Over). The little known electronic auteur allegedly played an incredibly moving set at Gorilla v. Bear Fest a little over a week ago, and judging by this track, it’s probably true. Her smooth vocals are right at home sitting atop the driving beat and the relentless barrage of synthesizer that lulls you right into a steamy trance. -Winston Robbins

Sleep ? Over – “Romantic Streams”

Even though it airs cartoons about giant fast food detectives and redneck squids, Adult Swim knows a thing or two about integrating music to further its programming agenda. From its Ragbag of Jollification to Josh Homme writing new theme songs and even offering shows to OFWGKTA and Jay-Z, the programming block is as in-tune musically as it is bizarre. Now, Adult Swim is adding another feather in its cap with the 2011 installment of its Adult Swim Singles Program, featuring tracks from Mastodon, The Rapture, Best Coast, The Tallest Man on Earth, and more. Head here to download the first single, Ford & Lopatin’s “Too Much MIDI (Please Forgive Me)”.

The series runs June 6th to August 2nd, with each week bringing a new, never-before-released track (the complete schedule is listed below). As a bonus, Mastodon and Best Coast’s offerings will also get corresponding music videos, plus Adult Swim will be releasing bonus tracks from rapper El-P and NYC rockers Cerebral Ballzy at the conclusion of the series.

Adult Swim Singles Program Schedule:
Week 1 (June 6) – Ford & Lopatin
Week 2 (June 14) – Best Coast
Week 3 (June 21) – How to Dress Well
Week 4 (June 28) – Mastodon
Week 5 (July 5) – Active Child
Week 6 (July 12) – The Tallest Man on Earth
Week 7 (July 19) – JJ feat. Ne-Yo
Week 8 (July 26) – The Rapture
Week 9 (August 2) – Artist to be announced

Despite the simplistic title, it does actually have meaning beyond this being her fourth solo LP. “We all have special numbers in our lives, and 4 is that for me,” she told Billboard. “It’s the day I was born. My mother’s birthday, and a lot of my friends’ birthdays, are on the fourth; April 4 is my wedding date.”

While there’s no word yet on a definitive release date (though it could be as early as June), the album’s rumored list of collaborators and producers is already reason enough to be excited. Along with production from Switch on the album’s lead single, the rumor mill was recently abuzz with talk of Sleigh Bells’ Derek E. Miller making a guest spot. Other rumored songwriters/producers include Jim Jonsin, Ne-Yo, The-Dream, and Frank Ocean (the OFWGKTA member, who wrote on his blog, “[Beyoncé's] singing my songs. If time were to stop right now, the past couple weeks would be near the top of the highlight reel for my short time on earth.”)

Beyoncé has also been getting in touch with the work of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, who inspired the singer-actress to open up creatively. “I recorded more than 60 songs: everything I ever wanted to try, I just did it. I started off being inspired by Fela Kuti,” Beyonce told Billboard. “I actually worked with the band from “Fela!” [the hit Broadway musical based on his life] for a couple of days…what I learned most from Fela was artistic freedom: he just felt the spirit.” Other sources of inspiration include Adele, Earth, Wind & Fire, Teena Marie, Florence and the Machine, and DeBarge

Meanwhile, Beyoncé will release the video for “Run the World (Girls)” on Friday at 12:01 a.m. EDT.

Moral of the story? There’s no time to give her hubby a haircut.

If you’re looking for less Swedish dream pop in your hip hop, then try Rick Ross’ brand new mixtape, Ashes To Ashes. The 10-track effort features T.I., Wale, Wiz Khalifa, Big Sean, Ne-Yo, Birdman, and even the late Barry White. Grab the free download here.

Ashes To Ashes tracklist:
01. Intro
02. 9 piece (feat. T.I.)
03. Black Man’s Dream (feat. Luda)
04. John Doe
05. Retrosuperfuture (feat. Wiz Khalifa)
06. Play Your Part (feat. Wale, Meek Mill & Chester French)
07. Ashes to Ashes (feat. Kc)
08. Even Deeper (feat. Barry White)
09. She Crazy (feat. Aaliyah & Ne-Yo)
10. Bricks (feat. Birdman)
11. Bugatti Boyz – Another One (Bonus)

It’s a new week, which means a new batch of albums are being released. It’s also the week of Thanksgiving, which means stores are vying for your every dollar. Combine the two and you can understand Amazon.com’s currently ongoing promotion: buy digitial versions of Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Roby’s Body Talk, My Chemical Romance’s Danger Days: The True Lives Of The Fabulous Killjoys, Ne-Yo’s Libra Scale, and Dane Cook’s I Did My Best – Greatest Hits for only $3.99. Just click here and maybe just maybe, Kanye and Win will finally have something in common.

Apparently, per Neon Limelight, despite a #4 debuting on the Billboard 200, Rated R hasn’t performed as well as Rihanna’s label had hoped after the massive promo campaign they put behind it. Combined with Rihanna’s 20/20 interview about Chris Brown, Def Jam was expecting huge numbers to match the album’s hype. Disappointed by the en result,  the label now appears to be ending the album’s marketing campaign, as third single, “Rude Boy”, is expected to be the last from the project.

What’s more, Rihanna is also looking to move on from the dark tone that permeates her last record, having recently mentioned to MTV that she wants her new album to be fun and energetic, like her breakthrough Good Girl Gone Bad.

While no official announcement has been made, both Ne-Yo and David Guetta are said to already be working on new music with the singer. As customary, more info as it becomes available.

Not that Ellen or Tyra really have anything to worry about, but could you imagine the guests on this show? They could have Jay-Z talking about childhood memories, Kanye West shouting out for his late mother, and not to mention, each of their respected sons! Well, maybe not Lil’ Wayne — at least for awhile.

Oy vey!

Unlike previous efforts, the lead single is a slow-burning ballad that instantly brings to mind her “incident” with Chris Brown, prior to the 2009 Grammys. Whilst the lyrics attempt to disguise the subject matter, even the talk of bullets cannot hide the fact that this is about an abusive relationship. Ne-Yo confirmed this point when speaking to MTV News:

“The best and safest way I can say this is that Rihanna has some stuff to say and she’s going to say it. And she ain’t going to make no apologies for it. …I’ve heard a good majority of the album … world, get ready. That’s all I’m going to say: World, get ready.”

Whilst she doesn’t go for the jugular, Mr. Brown’s influence is written all over this record (“And you can see my heart beating/You can see it through my chest/And I’m terrified but I’m not leaving”). The song opens with a guitar solo, quickly eclipsed by a continuous bass beat. Rihanna’s vocals are high in the mix, presumably a result of her voice improving — a year of touring can work wonders.

It’s a departure for her, taken from the “Unfaithful” mold instead of her usual uptempo first singles (see “Pon Da Replay”, “Umbrella”). “Disturbia” and her recent outfits have highlighted that she is a fan of shock tactics. As if we needed reminding, the song begins to fire up before being ended by a solitary gunshot. The single’s artwork is similar, in that it’s provocative, displaying the Barbadian singer wrapped in barbed wire and wearing a bizarre eye-patch.

The reality is that the slow burning song would not propel a chart-hopeful to success,  but with Rihanna’s emotions on display, and Ne-Yo on production duties, this is bound for the top of the charts. Not without incident, however…

A number of sites have already drawn parallels to Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face” Russian Roulette reference (“Russian Roulette is not the same without a gun”). And whilst Gaga only made a short reference, Rihanna has dedicated the entire song to the imagery; given that Gaga’s line was edited out for radio stations, Rihanna’s single might not make it onto the airwaves.

Rated-R is out November 23rd, as the singer recently announced via her new Twitter account. Def Jam recently spoke of the video (paparazzi shots) which will premiere soon on ABC’s prime-time slot. In the meantime, the song can be heard at Rihanna‘s site.

As Billboard reports, Michael Jackson left a legacy of over 100 unreleased songs on personal hard drives. The material, largely comprised of his recent work with producers and hit-makers will.i.am, Ne-Yo, and Akon, is now said to be in the possession of LaToya Jackson, the late King of Pop’s elder sister. A spokeswoman for will.i.am said that the producer does not have copies of the material he recorded with Jackson, suggesting that the hard drives might contain the only digital recordings. Frank DiLeo, Jackson’s manager, also hinted that the drives contain numerous tracks from the 1980′s, including offshoots from Bad.

Immediately after Jackson passed away on June 25th, 2009, the Jackson clan descended on his Holmby Hills mansion to claim his possessions. DiLeo claims that LaToya took a number of hard drives from Jackson’s personal computer, which contained the veritable treasure trove of unreleased material. Their wherabouts is unknown, although the Jackson family home in Encino is a safe bet.

“They backed up trucks, removing everything,” DiLeo said. However, the ”estate lawyers will send out letters,” as they are legally required to log the contents of the hard drives and the remainder of Jackson’s possessions. Michael Jackson left 40% of his estate to his mother, Katherine, but the estate battles are destined to continue for a long, long time. This is just the latest in a series of developments centered around the future of Jackson’s children and his considerable assets. When the songs are to be released is another matter altogether.