From country music via Tom Waits and a new singer-songwriter to a site that's more indie than indie,
David Smyth checks out the week's best downloads.

ALBUM OF THE WEEK
Loose Cuts 2
Acton country label Loose is being particularly generous with its latest compilation, giving away an entire album for free in the hope that the exquisite taster will encourage the curious to pay hard cash for more. Music by Steve Earle, the Handsome Family and a new track by the White Stripes' favourite, Blanche, is undeniably tempting. http://loosecuts.info

SNEAK PREVIEW
Tom Waits
On 20 November, the growling maestro will release Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers and Bastards, an astoundingly ambitious collection of 54 songs. Two preview tracks are now available at his label's website, and a third will appear on 17 October. www.anti.com.

THE BUZZ
Jont
This singer-songwriter puts on, and films, intimate acoustic gigs starring his MySpace friends in the homes of anyone who nominates themselves on his site. The next show is now going to be part of the BBC's Electric Proms series. www.myspace.com/ onelongsong

THE SITE
Drowned in Sound
The British equivalent of influential US webzine Pitchfork is celebrating its sixth birthday by revealing its 66 favourite albums of the past six years. As an indier-than-thou haven for fans of music that rarely grazes the charts, the usual suspects will not be on this list. www.drownedinsound.com