Beck – “Defriended”

Beck - "Defriended"

Beck – “Defriended”

Beck - "Defriended"

In 2009, “unfriend” was named the Oxford Word Of The Year (unfriend – verb – To remove someone as a ‘friend’ on a social networking site such as Facebook). As far as I know, “defriend” is still a bootleg variant, but whatever. Lots of people unfriended Beck after his last “album,” the McSweeney’s-published sheet-music collection Song Reader. Can’t blame ‘em — it’s not just the expense of purchasing the damn ukulele, but the hassle of learning how to play the thing. But today, Beck has returned with a new standalone single that requires of the listener nothing more than a working Internet connection. Which … yep, you’re good. “Defriended” is skittering and synthy, heavily electronic, with occasional bursts of acoustics (notably a stand-up bass), and looped vocals that build to a small choral section. It reminds me a little bit of Animal Collective, actually. Give it a spin below, let me know how it sounds to you.

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