The Barometer: Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys; Exlovers; Patrick Swayze; The Almighty Defenders; Beck; Dum Dum Girls

Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys Empire State of Mind

Alicia Keys lends her trademark jazzy piano style to yet another musical homage to New York, this time from Jay-Z (with a nod to his former adversary Nas too).

Exlovers You Forget So Easily

A slice of pacey acoustic pop from London's Exlovers, up-and-coming indie scenesters with a new EP out.

Patrick Swayze She's Like the Wind

This week we just had to return to Swayze's emotive ballad from the 'Dirty Dancing' soundtrack.

The Almighty Defenders Cone of Light

Eschewing their usual scuzzy punk, members of Black Lips and the King Khan and BBQ Show combine to reveal a love of Motown and Phil Spector on this track.

Beck Master Song

Beck's covers project takes a bizarre turn with an unrecognisable rap take on the Leonard Cohen song.

Dum Dum Girls Over the Phone

Actually just one girl, who goes by the name Dee Dee – this is a fine example of her lo-fi, fuzz-guitar aesthetic.