Today, the world lost one of the greats. Robin Williams, actor and comedian, was found dead in his home this morning at age 63. Early reports seem to indicate that it was a suicide by asphyxiation, and his publicist said that Williams had been battling extreme depression these last several days. This is just really sad news. The world is a less bright and less funny place today because Robin Williams is no longer in it. Just about everyone has a story about the man to tell, and while most of us never knew or even met him, he touched all of our lives in incredible ways through his work in TV, film and on stage. Movies like Mrs. Doubtfire, Dead Poets Society and Good Will Hunting carried enough influence and inspiration to change our perceptions of the world when we saw them. For my money, Williams was always best when he wasn’t so much acting as he was playing variations on himself through stand-up and talk show appearances. I own a couple of his stand-up specials on DVD and watched one earlier tonight, and I cried a little bit amid the laughter, mostly in thinking how great of a talent the world has lost. I’ve also been keeping track of the many comments, stories and tributes that have been pouring in and will undoubtedly continue to pour in over the coming days, weeks and months. Nobody has said a single bad word about the man yet, and every indication was that he was kind, gentle, giving and extremely passionate/compassionate towards others. Of course as most will tell you, there’s a cost for living that way. Williams battled with drugs and alcoholism for years, particularly back in the 70s and 80s, and in the mid-00s some of that caught up with him and he needed serious heart surgery. But ultimately it would be mental health issues that claimed his life. Depression is a very serious disease, it doesn’t discriminate by race, gender, religion or social class. No matter how much money and fame you have, depression will always find a way to bring you down. Those suffering with mental health issues know this all too well. If Williams’s death can inspire one thing, hopefully it’s a wake up call for those struggling with mental health to get help. If you’re dealing with depression and need to talk with someone, don’t be afraid to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. It’s available 24/7 for anyone that needs it. The number is 1-800-273-8255. Most depression/mental health lines also have live chats on their websites, so you can even talk with someone over IM if that’s easier or more comfortable. Please, please, please seek help if you’re feeling down. The world doesn’t need any more senseless loss of life. To close, I think that Robin Williams would like to be remembered for all of the wonderful things and characters that he helped bring into the world. He’s leaving behind a wealth of material that generations have and will continue to enjoy for decades to come, so let’s do our best to celebrate the man, the myth and the legend.

Onto today’s Pick Your Poison. There’s some lovely tracks in this set from Autumn in June, Deluxe, Gold Panda, LWKY and VIRGO. In the Soundcloud section after the jump, stream new songs from Cloud Castle Lake, Ex Hex, PAWS (covering Le Tigre), Say Lou Lou + Lindstrom, Sea Oleena, YAWN and Flume’s remix of Arcade Fire’s “Afterlife.”

Alex Jacke – Fashion

Autumn in June – Hey Arnold!

Dead Leaf Echo – true.deep.sleeper

Deluxe – Crows Beak

Faux Effet – Horopter

Flume – Sleepless (Tyord Remix)

Gold Panda – Clarke’s Dream

GOONS – So Stuck Up (ft. Gloria Miguez)

Irregular Expression x deadxbeat – Scenic Bump

King Green – Nothing

LWKY – Drifting

VIRGO – humanoid

SOUNDCLOUD

Arcade Fire – Afterlife (Flume Remix)

Cloud Castle Lake – Sync

Ex Hex – Beast

PAWS ft. Michelle Zauner – Deceptacon (Le Tigre cover)

Say Lou Lou x Lindstrom – Games For Girls

Sea Oleena – If I’m

YAWN – Wasting, Waiting