Peaking Lights, Lissie, Kate Moss & Vince Staples star in Free Music Good Friday

Having gone on the mitch last weekend in Madrid, Free Music Good Friday is back with a veritable El Clasico of downloads, streams, trailers and vids. So, buckle up and enjoy the ride...

Our favourite FMF thing this week is ‘Conga Blue’, an early blast of summer from Peaking Lights who one suspects have been listening to quite a bit of Daft Punk recently.

Their bilingual neighbours Halo Circus also impress with ‘Desire (Lo Que Vale La Pena’ and its accompanying [link]bundles.bittorrent.com/bundles/halo-circus digital[/link] goodies. Unless we’re mistaken, it’s the first time an American Idol contestant has collaborated with a former Scott Weiland band member.

Staying in the Garden State and brother/sister duo XYLØ gift us some glacially cool electropop in the form of America.

Azealia Banks has taken everyone unawares with the release of her brilliantly titled Slay-Z mixtape.
Full of killer rhymes, massive pop hooks and big, bangin’ ‘90s-style house tunes, it features guest appearances from Nina Sky and Rick Ross who joins her on the standout ‘Big Talk’.
It’s a potent reminder that beneath all the Twitter beefs, Ms. B is one of hip hop’s most precious talents.

Free Music Friday fave Lissie is at her stripped down best on this radio session three-tracker, which confirms her as the missing link between Stevie Nicks and Dolly Parton.

Finally from the Noise Trade stable comes this introduction to the Virginmarys, fine UK purveyors of angsty guitar rock.

Leading this week’s streaming charge are Paul Simon-esque cult favourite Andrew Bird who’s April Fooling us with album no. 13, Are You Serious; punky Los Angelinos Bleached; retro Vancouver synth merchants Black Mountain; hotshot Brighton producer Leon Vynehall, and a welcome return from Gainesville, Florida’s Screaming Eagle of Soul, Charles Bradley.

There’s more quality streaming fare over at [link]3voor12.vpro.nl/albums.html[/link]
from Cullen Omori of Smith Westerns fame, Damien Jurado and The Sore Losers, a Dutch band making serious continental waves.

Participant tempt us to their Workman’s Club show on April 7 with ‘Leave Me Here’, a gorgeously woozy tune from the Dublin Producer Also Known As Stephen Tiernan.

Among the numerous SXSW highlights were Vince Staples who can’t pronounce the word “bounce” properly but otherwise tore Austin a new one with his Spotify showcase.

It’s a marriage made in musical heaven as Sam Beam collaborates with Jesca Hoop on Love Letter From The Fire. Here’s a triple-whammy taster of the treats in store.

‘Curvy’ is the first indication of what Dolores O’Riordan and ex-Smiths man Andy Rourke have been up to in the studio this past year. Trading as D.A.R.K., they make their live bow here with Dolan’s, Limerick (May 13) and Whelan’s, Dublin (16) dates.

Kate Moss stars in the video for the new Massive Attack 45, ‘Ritual Spirit’. “Me and Kate have been friends for years, but had never collaborated, so last year we booked a studio with Medium and set up a shoot,” 3D reveals. “During the session Kate was dancing in the dark, lighting herself with a naked bulb. She perfectly captured the essence of this track… intimate and ritualistic. We edited it back in Bristol to keep it raw with no re-touching, I didn't want to lose the spirit of that moment.”
Adds an equally chuffed Moss: "I have always been a huge fan of Massive Attack and 3D has been a friend for many years. When he asked me to collaborate with him I didn't have to think twice. I always thought their visuals were amazing and I was proud to be in this video."

Graham Nash limbers up for the release of his solo album, This Path Tonight, with this brilliant Tiny Desk Concert for American NPR. Along with two new songs, the 74-year-old threw in a great version of ‘Bus Stop’ from his alma mater The Hollies.

And with that fine display of senior citizenship, Free Music Good Friday changes into sackcloth and heads to church for a day of intense religious reflection. Rest assured, nary a drop of the Devil’s Buttermilk will touch our lips till midnight. Now, where did we put those straws? Have a pious one and keep those links coming to @stuartclark66