Our favourite songs, videos and albums out now

1. U2 – “Invisible”

The wait is finally over! This preview of U2’s years-in-the-making new album, produced by Danger Mouse, builds from a chilled-out, Kraftwerk-style groove in the verses to one of the hugest pop hooks Bono has sung in years – maybe even his best since “Beautiful Day”. Sounds like a hit.

2. Lou Reed – “Solsbury Hill”

The biggest surprise on Peter Gabriel’s new LP of other artists covering his hits: the late, great Reed transforms this tune with a flood of menacing “Sister Ray” feedback.

3. The Dead Weather – “Open Up (That’s Enough)”

Jack White’s other band returns with a hopped-up barnstormer of a one-off single. Forecast: heavy riffs for days!

4. St. Vincent – “Regret”

Every song on the indie singer-guitarist’s new album, St. Vincent, feels like it might be her best ever. This one has crunchy power chords, a heavenly melody and a seriously psychedelic vibe. What more could you ask for? Heavy riffs for days!

5. Zakes Bantwini – “Ghetto” video

“If you make it in here, you can make it anywhere,” croons Zakes on this autobiographical ode to growing up in the ghetto of KwaMashu in the early ’90s. It’s a smooth, sophisticated soul serenade about township life off his latest album, The Fake Book & Real Book: My Music Bible, that channels the uplifting socio-political sounds of vintage Motown into an inspirational 21st century house hip-shaker.

6. Jack Parow – “Bloubek” video

“I eat fokkin’ hipsters!” spits the Afrikaans rapper in this electro-rap attack off his latest album, Nag Van Die Lang Pette. Themed as a Fight Club-style battle between Parow and Steve Hofmeyr, the video is an hilarious parody of everything we love to hate about Zef that’s populated with slapstick pop cultural pastiches that run the gamut from fixie bikes and Fanagalo raps to Kraft beer, and a Duracell bunny who gets donnerd. Hosh!

7. Rick Ross – “Oyster Perpetual”

No one on Earth is better at rapping about seafood than Rick Ross, who’s kicked tasty rhymes about crabmeat, shrimp and grits, lobster bisque and more. The Miami hip-hop king’s latest crustacean creation is this fabulously deluxe cut from his upcomingMastermind LP, out now.