Songs of the week: New tracks by the Rolling Stones with Lady Gaga, U2, and more

By the Rolling Stones with Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga, bless her, has always been kind to the old people, what with all those duets with Tony Bennett. Now, her good deeds for seniors continue with the Rolling Stones, her backing vocals on their new single adding a touch of Gimme Shelter to a song that might have been You Can’t Always Get You Want in a former life. So, yes, it’s an extra-Stonesy kind of Stones song, even with Stevie Wonder on the keyboards, though he’s not exactly poking out of the mix. It’s rock-gospel according to Mick ‘n’ Keef on a stirring slow-burner that will be the closing number to – and bodes well for – the forthcoming album, Hackney Diamonds. And its lyrical sentiment may lend itself to a few fan funeral playlists. – Russell Baillie

By U2

The band have just begun a two and half month Las Vegas residency playing their Achtung Baby Live show inside the Sphere, the only concert venue in the entertainment town with the capacity for Bono’s ego. This is the single seemingly celebrating their arrival in Vegas town, a throwback to the sort of forgettable stomper they would put on the front of their post-Achtung albums, with guitar riffs that owe a bit to the Clash’s London Calling and a hook that owes rather a lot to Blondie’s Call Me. – Russell Baillie

by Troye Sivan

The Australian YouTuber turned pop powerhouse has now taken a turn for the best into dance tracks, leading strong with Rush and following it up with Got Me Started for his third album, Something to Give Each Other. It’s an equally groovy, equally queer song that samples the hook of Bag Raider’s 2008 mega hit Shooting Stars. Sivan says the fellow Aussie artist had never bfore approved a sample use of the catchy hook, making the new song as exclusive as it is instantly recognisable, particularly for a younger generation where its melody was made a much-shared meme. At the same time, Sivan makes Got Me Started his own with his soft vocals and angelic ambience as applied to all his best work. – Alana Rae