Bradford Cox Covers Bob Dylan, Kurt Vile on Free Atlas Sound Mixtape

Deerhunter leader Bradford Cox hit something of a personal peak on this year's 'Halycon Digest.' The songs were bigger, glossier and contained far more twists and turns than the hazy, hypnotic folk-rock that defined the band's earlier albums. That said, Cox's solo project, Atlas Sound, has been a refuge from the pressures of his increasingly popular band and he's now taking advantage with a new mixtape that features tons of harmonica, original tracks and covers of songs by Bob Dylan and Kurt Vile.

The free mixtape, 'Bedroom Databank Vol. 1,' shows the pure songcraft behind Cox's work. Recorded at home during three sessions in August, October and November, Cox remains in a loose, coffee-shop mode. He's unafraid to use the computer for electronics, but the set carries a vibe much closer to his Atlas Sound tour from earlier in 2010 -- solo acoustic guitar, loops, heavy harmonica and his spooky voice leading the way.

The cover of Vile's 'Freak Train' is turned instrumental, while the Dylan collaboration with the Band, 'This Wheel's on Fire,' gets a more traditional treatment. Other tracks touch on elements of experimental dance music ('Afternoon Drive') and the sort of pharmaceutical pop perfected by Ariel Pink and Panda Bear ('Wild Love').