And just like that a new single appears. Arctic Monkeys have thrown a brand new single up on iTunes today. It definitely stays true to Queens of the Stone Age influence that has coursed through the last few records. And it’s certainly an odd choice for a single, ignoring the upbeat aggression of its early sound in favor of a slow, psychedelic burn. Alex Turner sounds even more cocksure than usual over a sleazy, sexy riff.

This YouTube comment sums it up nicely: “I am both in awe of her and utterly terrified of her when she performs.”

Her new album Once I was an Eagle is staggeringly good and easily one of the year’s best.

This has been out a few weeks, but, if you haven’t seen it, you’re missing out. First of all, the new Queens of the Stone Age album is so, so good and on constant repeat on all my devices that play music. “I Sat by the Ocean” would be the song of the summer in a better world. It’s a hard slap to the face to hear a band unafraid to rock like this. Frontman Josh Homme goes heavy on the Bowie throughout the album, but it’s an overall blistering tour de force with Dave Grohl back on drums. This animated short-feature links several songs, including the entire video for the single, “My God Is the Sun,” and it’s a nightmarish interpretation of what Homme has described as a “manic year.” Visuals by Boneface and animator Liam Brazier.

In related news, the gatefold vinyl release is a thing of beauty, and there’s a special edition released only in local record stores, featuring blue artwork. It comes with a scratch off lottery ticket with a download code that I can’t bring myself to scratch to save my life.

Arctic Monkeys debuted some new music at the Northside Festival in Denmark a few days ago. It’s fan-footage, but the sound is remarkably clear. “Mad Sounds” is a slow-burner with a heavy Velvet Underground influence. Ever since the band discovered Josh Homme and the American desert it has seemed to lose momentum state-side for some reason. I’m still on board with the game-plan, though; Alex Turner can do no wrong in my world. [via The Awl]

The band’s music may be more streamlined and accessible than ever, but its videos are not quite so linear. This is one way to make headlines out of a par album.

Kanye West’s narcissism knows no bounds, but his marriage of pop culture over-saturation with Bret Easton Ellis’ novel is, admittedly, an intriguing way to promote an album. [via Kanye West]

Siouxsie Sioux returned from a five-year live hiatus with two nights at the Yoko Ono-curated Meltdown Festival in London this past weekend. She played her legendary former band’s album Kaleidoscope in its entirety with a few other fan favorites sprinkled in. Even though the Banshees’ classic “Spellbound” was on the set list to close the first night, Siouxsie didn’t play it. Thankfully, it made the second night’s set. Siouxsie looks and sounds amazing. [via Slicing Up Eyeballs]