Rick Ross performs at the BET Hip-Hop Honors at Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012, in Atlanta.John Amis/The Associated Press
RAP: 100 Black Coffins
Rick Ross, from the forthcoming Django Unchained soundtrack; streaming here
On the lead single for the soundtrack to the upcoming Quentin Tarantino feature, the rapper Rick Ross rhymes ruthlessly from the point of view of the film's title character (played by Jamie Foxx, the actor-musician who also produced this track). He is unusually specific as to the number and colour scheme of the coffins, bibles and preachers he requires. Django is not acting in the official capacity of an undertaker, you can probably guess. Against a spaghetti western backdrop, complete with dramatically ringing bells, stoic whistling and synthetic drum beats, Ross (who is prone to embroidering the truth in real life) declares revenge, shotgun at the ready. This will not end well.
ROCK: We Know Who U R
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, from the forthcoming Push the Sky Away; streaming here
"…And we know where you live, and we know there's no need to forgive." The ambiance is elegant and chilled; the tempo and vocal delivery, measured. The gazing Nick Cave's implied threat is so quiet and beautiful that we don't even mind him knowing our exact street address, no matter how nefarious a thing he has in mind. This will not end well.
ELECTRO-POP: Merry Xmas (Says Your Text Message)
Dragonette; streaming here
Candy canes and Dragonette's Martina Sorbara voice are sweet; tardy smart-phone seasonal tidings are not. Jingling bells have never been employed so expletively. This will not end well.
ROCK: Unwelcome Company
Henry Wagons (with Alison Mosshart), from the forthcoming Expecting Company; streaming here
Paranoia brings a crowd – "Everywhere I go, they follow me" – on a sinister slice of psychedelia, courtesy of the Australian rascal Henry Wagons and the squalling, spitting Kills singer Alison Mosshart, who go on about bodies on the basement floor. This will not end well.
VIDEO: White Christmas
Michael Bublé and Bing Crosby, from NBC's forthcoming Michael Bublé – Home For the Holidays (Dec. 10); clip streaming here
The two crooners are dreaming of a black and white Christmas, if their not-quite matching suits are any indication. According to a record label press release, the cross-generational duet was achieved through "computer magic." Does this mean Der Bingle is on the Auto Tune too? This will not end well.
Brad Wheeler