Do you like Amy Winehouse? Adele? Love that old-fashioned, classic sound but wish that they made your toes tap a little harder? Then you're going to adore this week's iTunes free single of the week from We Are Twin. I honestly can't stop dancing to this one - it's been on repeat all morning.

Is this what happens when you pair a Germany-raised Sri Lankan and a New York soul singer? If so, can we get more of these collaborations please? The fusion of minds and of styles works on every level. In fact, you could say that they are creating their own little language, just like twins do. The band name makes perfect sense.

Enough ramblings from me. Go download the single. You won't regret it:

The Way We Touch - Single - WE ARE TWIN

And check out the full EP here:

We Are Twin - EP - WE ARE TWIN

It's hard not to immediately fall in love with the nu-wave stylings of HAIM, free on iTunes this week. Featuring three sisters from Los Angeles, Haim seamlessly merges classic rock stylings, fantastically blended harmonies, and even some 90's-style R&B hip-hop influences into a sound that is irresistibly their own.

Definitely worth a download.

The Wire - Single - HAIM

And if you like them as much as I do, check out the full album "Days are Gone" here. It's only a $7.99 pre-order and the full album will be out on September 30th.

Days Are Gone - HAIM

1. Madly - Tristan Prettyman
I'm so excited about this week's free track. I saw Tristan Prettyman open up for Jason Mraz a year ago, and it was clear she was going to be the next big thing. This girl is tall, gorgeous, and has a killer voice. Since she adopts the laid-back surfer attitude, many have dubbed her the female Jack Johnson.

To be clear, the video above is a song from her last album. Her new album: "Hello" just came out today, and is a steal at $5.99 on iTunes. I have a feeling her mellow vibe is going pick up quickly, so I'd grab this album before the price skyrockets up.

Get the free track.

2. Bien Sudao - Tony Dize
Tony is a Puerto Rican who has apprenticed under the best duo in reggaeton, Wisin & Yandel. Now he's out on his own for the first time. The track is reggae meets hip-hop. Very danceable.

1. Algebra Blessett - Run and Hide
Looking at all of the articles about Miss Algebra Blessett, one can only hope that she really does like math, because her first name has cursed her to a lifetime of punny headlines. Even the bio on her website says things like "Ironically there are no textbooks or classroom instructions that could help one balance the equations of Kedar Massenburg's newest protege, ALGEBRA."

Poor Algebra. Listening to her album though, you can definitely start to imagine that she is the next big thing in R&B. Her flow is effortless, it reminds me a bit of a cross between Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu.

Sample her free track, and then consider picking up full album for the bargain of $6.99.

2. Time On Your Side - Emily Jane White
Emily Jane White is one of those rare folk singers that can really depress you. Her voice sounds a bit like Beth Orton, but on her website she mentions how most of her songs are about "isolation". Let's examine her lyrics.

Not much to do
When you've got time on your side.
You sit and think about your wasted life.
I try to move to change things through and through, hoo hoo.

Well, I'm thoroughly depressed. Let's move on.

3. Vengo Venenoso - Antonio Carmona
Excellent Flamenco track. Wanna dance?

It's a pretty slow week for free stuff on iTunes. And I would highlight some great new releases, but I blew most of my music budget last week on the new Raconteurs and R.E.M. albums.

So I'm going to do something I never thought I'd do. Profile a John Mayer song from a crappy Jack Nicholson movie.

I used to be a huge John Mayer fan. Then I realized that he's a bit of a douche. I'm mean seriously - have you seen this guy talk? Then there's the huge butt-chin. Also, he dumped Jessica Simpson, which qualifies him for major douchage.

Strangely enough, however, I happen to like his new single, "Say". I'm going to try to forget it's from "The Bucket List", a movie that was so terrible the previews made me shudder with loathing. Yes, I'm just going to put my headphones out, block all of that out, and try to listen to the nice song, which is very nice, with a tingly guitar riff and flowing harmonies.

Close your eyes, and grab "Say" for $.99 on iTunes.

1. Cut Copy - Lights & Music
I'm ridiculously pleased that this is the free song of the week, since I was prepping an article on Cut Copy anyway. They released their new album, "In Ghost Colours" last week and tempted by the $6.99 price and great review in Spin Magazine, I downloaded. It is love.

Cut Copy's unique sound mixes elements of indie rock and dance music, and the result sounds like the soundtrack to the most raging, awesome party that you've ever wanted to throw. If you listened to New Order in the 80's, you get the general gist.

The free track and first single, "Lights & Music" is cool, but my favorite track on the album is "Feel the Love". I guarantee that it'll be showing up in a car commercial sometime soon.

So grab "Lights and Music" today for free, and if you like it, I strongly urge you to grab the whole album for $6.99.

2. Señor Flavio - Mandita
I am told that Mister Flavio, aka Flavio Cianciarulo, "is a founding member of Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, one of the greatest rock bands on any continent, from any era." This track in particular is supposed to explore 80's rock, a la UB40.

I like the overall track which is upbeat and poppy with lots of hurried rhythmic lyrics. But then this rather scary man who is apparently in third-stage emphysema pops up and starts yelling angrily for the kids to get off his lawn. Or at least, that's what it sounds like. It's in Spanish, I can't tell. It's not for me, but maybe you'll enjoy it...

Wow. When I woke up this morning, I certainly didn't expect to end up listening to a "Beat It" cover by Fall Out Boy. And then to discover that John Mayer was the one shredding the guitar during the course of the song? I'm so freaked out, I'm seriously considering going back to bed.

There's no video yet, thank Thor. I have serious doubts that Pete Wentz can moonwalk. And I know for a certainty that John Mayer will think that he can moonwalk, but his attempt will be an epic fail.

Check out "Beat It" on iTunes.

I don't understand.

Does Heidi Montag have an actual album coming out? Or is she just going to keep drizzling out singles and homemade videos because Spencer hasn't been able to figure out how to work the CD burner?

Regardless, Miss Heidi has another single out titled "No More". This is one case where you can be glad for vocal effects as it transforms the song into something vaguely listenable. I've got 10 bucks on another bikini video magically surfacing for this one. We can only hope.

Download Heidi Montag's "No More".

Country fans: this is your week for free iTunes music. Let's dig in:

1. Love Don't Live Here - Lady Antebellum
I'm not sure what to say about this one. It's a nice country song, full of twang and harmonies and break-up angst. I guess I could point out that the singer Charles Kelly is the brother of Josh Kelley, who is married to Katharine Heigl. That's kind of interesting, I guess.

2. She Left Me For Jesus - Hayes Carll
Wildly clever country song. All I need to do to sell you on this one is post the lyrics of the chorus:
"She left me for Jesus, and that just ain't fair.
She said that He's perfect, how could i compare?
She says that I should find him, and I'll know peace at last.
If I ever find Jesus, I'm kickin' His ass."

Love it.

3. La Duda - Chana
I was hoping to report that "La Duda" translated to "The Dude" because that would be an awesome name for a song. But it translates to "The Doubt", which is still pretty cool.

La Chana is Rosanna Tavarez, a vocalist and songwriter of Dominican heritage who grew up in New York and Miami. This track is kind of awesome: dance rock meets power pop. It reminds me a lot of CSS. Highly recommended.

Ben Gibbard's Death Cab for Cutie found mainstream success with their last album, "Plans". Many of their cult fanbase accused them of selling out, and certainly the album was a bit less thoughtful than the quirky work of their past.

It will be interesting then, to see how Death Cab bridges art and mainstream with their upcoming album "Narrow Stairs".

If their first single, "I Will Possess Your Heart" is any indication, they are embracing their art sides all the way. Over eight minutes long, the song has a four minute instrumental introduction. That's right. Four minutes with no vocals. After all, the band is full of master instrumentalists, why not show off what they can do?

It's likely the radio version will cut out those four minutes and get straight to Ben's lovely singing voice and DC's harmonies. But check out the newly released single and see whether you like the new Death Cab.

Pick up Death Cab for Cutie's new single: I Will Possess Your Heart

I've been a huge Jason Mraz fan ever since I saw him perform live. He is just such a dynamic performer with such a huge, pure voice. It's impossible to listen to his music without being lifted up by some karmic, happy boost.

He is prepping for a new album coming up, and has released an 4 song EP called "We Sing" in anticipation of it. The lead single, "I'm Yours" is unspeakably adorable. Pick it up - it will immediately brighten your day.

Very esoteric week for free iTunes music this week.

1. The Kills - Cheap and Cheerful
My understanding of the Kills is that they are two people who used to be nice, normal, and in unsuccessful bands. So they swore some sort of oath to the devil or something and started over. Their new strategy involved chain smoking and vomiting on stage, never giving press interviews, condemning corporate America, and making some pretty awesome music. Good track. Sounds a bit like Garbage. Grab it.

2. The Puppini Sisters - Walk Like an Egyptian
A 40's jazz-version of the Bangles' 80's hit? ::shrugs:: Why not?

3. R.E.M. - Living Well is the Best Revenge [Video]
R.E.M.'s latest release is getting stunning reviews. I've heard a few tracks and have been floored at how gorgeously angry they are. This video features R.E.M. crammed in a van, driving along a dark highway, playing their instruments acoustically, drumming on the steering wheel, and joyously making harmonies. It's the way that music should be experienced, and it's a joy to watch a band so candidly enjoying each other. I strongly recommend you download this.

4. Karyme Lozano - Ay Ay Ay
This was totally throwaway for me. If you're really into Latin music, grab it. Else, pick up the rest of this week's tracks.

Leona Lewis won an American-Idol like show in the UK called "The X Factor". With her stunning looks and a voice capable of both belting remarkably high notes and shimmering soft ones, she's gotten a number of well-deserved comparisons to Whitney Houston.

Her first US single is Bleeding Love, and I strongly encourage you to check it out on iTunes. It's incredibly catchy and pleasing to the ears. A good guilty pleasure.

Usher is getting ready to drop his new album, and the racy first single has already raced to the top of the charts.

Love In This Club features Usher trying to convince his young lady friend that they should risk imprisonment, shed their clothes, and start getting it on in the middle of the dance floor.

I'm not sure why they can't wait until they get home. I guess she's that irresistible...

Still, the track is almost as hot as Usher himself. Pick it up on iTunes today.

1. Duffy - Mercy
iTunes loves giving us female UK-imports resembling Lily Allen and Amy Winehouse, so why not do another one? Mercy has 50's-retro appeal. Duffy's voice is lighter than Winehouse and scratchier than Lily's, but has an appealing quality all of it's own. Definitely one of the best free singles in a while.

2. Madita - Better Brother
If you've liked the Feist and Yael Naim tracks that iTunes has skyrocketed to popularity, chances are you'll also like Madita. Her album swings from ethereal, Portishead-like tracks to Sara Bareilles-like jazz/pop. Very promising new find. It's another must-download.

3. Los Mono - Promesas
Very groovy latin-electro-funk track. To me, it sounds a bit like LCD Soundsystem with latin lyrics. Had me dancing, and didn't once get boring.

I was shocked when I opened the iTunes store this week and saw that one of my favorite songs, "Hallelujiah" had shot to the top of the charts. Jason Castro, the dopey looking guy with dreadlocks, did a passable version of it on American Idol, which has reminded everybody how awesome the song was in the first place.



"Hallelujiah" was originally written by infamous songwriter Leonard Cohen, and then was covered by everyone in existence. My favorite two covers are Jeff Buckley's (who died after putting out an achingly beautiful album), and Brandi Carlile (singer of "The Story").

But there are so many good covers out there to choose from. Have a listen to the diverse set of people singing this amazing song:

• Jason Castro - "Hallelujiah"
• Jeff Buckley - "Hallelujiah"
• Leonard Cohen - "Hallelujiah"
• Brandi Carlile - "Hallelujiah"
• Rufus Wainwright - "Hallelujiah"
• K.D. Lang - "Hallelujiah"
• John Cale - "Hallelujiah" (heard on the tv show "Scrubs")
• Alison Crowe - "Hallelujiah"
• Willie Nelson - "Hallelujiah"
• Elisa - "Hallelujiah" (pretty powerful version!)
• Josh Allan - "Hallelujiah"

A bit of a quieter iTunes Tuesday this week. We've just got two free tracks, both a little on the chill side.

1. Ana Laan - Paradise
The startling, romantic voice of singer Ana Laan was born in Madrid and matured in Stockholm, Sweden. The daughter of a Spanish professor of literature and an American mother, Ana was raised in a home where learning was revered and multi-culturalism was the norm.

The song sounds a bit like if Lily Allen or Kate Nash did a Latin track. Very cute.

2. Eric Durrance - Wait Till I Get There
Country track. Eric Durrance is embarking on his solo career and coming out with a new record in a couple of weeks. The man is hot, and has a melting voice.

The song itself is pretty sad - the lyrics tell the tale of him rushing home to say goodbye to his grandpa before he dies. The song will probably make you tear up a bit.

Rumor is that Ashley Simpson and Pete Wentz, infamous bassist for Fall Out Boy, have made a baby and gotten engaged.

One wonders how the impending visit from the stork is going to impact publicity for Simpson's upcoming album, "Bittersweet World", scheduled to drop on April 15th.

Still, in honor of their news, here are two celebratory gestures.

First, "Outta My Head", the debut single from Ashley's upcoming album.

Second, a picture of Ashley Simpson in a bikini. You know what these two things have in common? Yes, that's right. They're both hot.

Edit: Turns out those pregnancy rumors were just a cruel joke purported by Ashley and Pete. So this won't be the last bikini picture after all!

I didn't really watch the Oscars. I had them on in the background while I was doing some work. But for three solid minutes, I was riveted to the screen while Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova performed the song "Falling Slowly" from the motion picture "Once".

The song is just beyond enchanting. Words don't do justice, so watch the video above. And of course, it won the Oscar. Good for them.

The entire "Once" soundtrack is infinitely lovely. But at the very least, pick up "Falling Slowly" to add to your collection.