Photo: Getty Images

2. Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks, "Astral Facial"
Malkmus debuted this excellent new song at last weekend's Siren Festival on Coney Island. Thankfully Stereogum has an MP3, which makes us feel a lot better about our decision to stay at home with an air conditioner. [Stereogum]

3. The Pretenders, "Boots of Chinese Plastic"
On this track from the Pretenders' forthcoming ninth album, Chrissy sings about boots that "look fantastic," but would probably give you lead poisoning if you actually tried to wear them. [Sheena Beaston]

Photo: Getty Images

2. Swizz Beatz, "That Oprah (Viva la Vida Freestyle)"
Famous producer (and non-famous rapper) Swizz Beatz uses Coldplay's hit about crumbled kingdoms to spit about our new monarchs, like Michael Jordan, Kanye, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, and, of course, "that Oprah." [Mixtape Maestro]

3. Mike Patton feat. the Metropole Orchestra "Che Notte"
Mike Patton (Faith No More, Mr. Bungle) has an album of mid-century Italian pop songs coming out, from which this new track is taken. We wish we knew what this song was about, but we speak neither Italian nor crazy well enough to make out the lyrics. [Sheena Beaston]

Photo: WireImage

2. Britney Spears, "Sometimes it Feels Like the World's on My Shoulders" (demo)
On this newly leaked a capella demo, Britney gives an earnest and unguarded look at her problems and claims, "My insecurities could eat me alive." Wait till she reads what people are saying about this track on blogs! [Britney Groupie]

3. Jakob Dylan, "Something Good this Way Comes"
You've probably seen the latest record from Bob's progeny while standing in line at Starbucks. Is it as toothlessly bland as you'd expect? Yes, sadly. [Culture Bully]

2. Liars, "Disgusting"
The Liars have debuted a new song on their Website, continuing the band's recent push to record poppier tracks with shorter titles. [Pitchfork]

3. Mercury Rev, "Senses on Fire"
Mercury Rev are releasing not one but two new records this fall, one through regular distribution channels and the other as a free download. We're guessing it'll be hard to tell which is which when you're downloading them on the torrent sites, but if this track is any indication, either will be probably worth your time. [Some Velvet Blog]

2. M. Ward, "Undertaker"
Merge is giving away free demos from Ward's third album, Transfiguration of Vincent, to prove that he could, in fact, play guitar and sing before he met Zooey Deschanel. [Merge via Fuel Friends]

3. Sean Bones, "Easy Street"
You probably wouldn't think the guitar player from Sam Champion would be able to convincingly pull off reggae, but you'd actually be completely wrong, you idiot. [MySpace]

Photo: Getty Images

2. Feist, "1234" (live on Sesame Street)
Elmo lends his star power to this kid-friendly version of up-and-coming artist Leslie Feist's most notable hit. [Pitchfork]

3. LL Cool J feat. the American Dream, "Baby"
LL falls for a woman "who's looking for a man who could give her a break, like Usher or Justin Timberlake," but he hopes she'll settle for the hundredth next best thing. [Mixtape Maestro]

Photo: Getty Images

2. Annie, "Songs Remind Me of You"
On this new Annie track, she abandons all modesty when she says "the music sounds good," but at this point, she's earned some bragging rights. [Pitchfork]

3. Black Kids, "No Substitute Love" (Estelle cover)
Black Kids appear on live TV in England and do this fun cover of an Estelle song. Perhaps if she comes over to the States, they can show her around; after all, she's never been to Brooklyn and would like to see what's good. [Funeral Pudding]

Photo: Getty Images, MySpace

2. Dizzee Rascal, "That's Not My Name" (Ting Tings cover)
England's Minister of Grime drops by Live Lounge to remake the Ting Ting's wallflower anthem as an angry track about hate speech. [Mixtape Maestro]

3. Man Man, "Doo Right"
Man Man leader Honus Honus sings, "I want to hold you until the mountains turn to sand," but settles for "until his keyboard runs out of power." [Pitchfork]

Photo: WireImage

2. RZA feat. U-God, "You Can't Stop Me Now"
The Wu-Tang leader remakes the best track on 8 Diagrams with an extended, possibly unnecessary gunshot-enhanced introduction, making us even more excited for his upcoming kung-fu movie. [Nah Right]

3. Flying Lotus feat. Lil Wayne, "Robo-Tussin"
If you've ever wondered what Wayne's "A Milli" would sound like if it had been recorded in outer space, Flying Lotus, thankfully, has you covered. [Gorilla vs. Bear]

Photo: Getty Images

2. Max Vernon, "I Kissed a Girl" (Katy Perry Cover)
Max Vernon keeps the original gender pronouns on this doo-wop cover of Katy Perry's jam of the summer. We wonder if he's going to teach your girlfriend how to dance with you while he's at it. [The Music Slut]

3. RAC feat. Karl Kling, "Take on Me" (a-ha Cover)
This awesome cover is about as close as you'll get to hearing the Postal Service do a-ha's singular classic. [Hits in the Car]