Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Cool It Down

Not really an improvement over Mosquito... musically, that is.

Karen O - "Rapt"

Yeah Yeah Yeahs front woman Karen O recently announced her first solo album, Crush Songs, and everyone was wondering what it would sound like. Would it just be another YYYs album? Well, here comes the first taste, a song called "Rapt," and for those who have been paying attention to O's career, it isn't much of a shock. While it sounds a little like a lo-fi track that wouldn't have felt out of place on PJ Harvey's Uh Huh Her, it is also very much a Karen O song.

The song actually originates from her brief stint under the moniker Native Korean Rock from a few years back. It centers on a patient, simple acoustic strum, and a very direct vocal. "Do I really need / Another habit like you?" O sings in the chorus, deciding that yes she thinks she might. The song clocks in under two minutes, which is enough. Yeah Yeah Yeahs have done acoustic renditions of their songs before, and they sound a bit like this. The minimalistic video, directed by her husband and production designed by K.K. Barrett (Oscar-nominated for Her), depicts O floating around underwater in a bright red dress, her blonde shock of hair gone brown again. None of this is too complicated, which is why it works. O has always sounded quite comfortable in a more intimate setting, and this little ditty has me looking forward to the album.

Crush Songs is out September 9 via Cult.

Karen O and Ezra Koenig - "The Moon Song"

Stream: Karen O and Ezra Koenig - "The Moon Song" Rolling Stone has a feature about a new studio recording of Karen O's deeply lovely original song she recorded for Spike Jonze's melancholy, wonderful film Her from last year. The song is nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song, and if it weren't for Frozen's "Let it Go", I'd say this has a good shot at winning. Nonetheless, Karen has recorded a clean, delicate studio rendition with guest vocals from Ezra Koenig, and the result is pretty magical.

Listen above via Rolling Stone. And go see Her, it's really good!

Trent Reznor- "Immigrant Song" ft. Karen O and Atticus Ross

I think Trent Reznor has found his true calling in movie scores starting with the excellent The Social Network soundtrack. Thenew Girl with the Dragon Tattoo soundtrack it likely to be equally as great.

Reznor and Karen O released this cover from the soundtrack, which has to be one of the most interesting Led Zeppelin covers ever recorded. It definitely has Reznor's trademark industrial, synthesized sound, but mixed with Karen O on vocals the track a very modern feel. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo soundtrack is available for pre-order on iTunes now.