Photo Illustration by Sarah Adler, photos from official websites.
“Lucifer,” SHINee
Fergie was so 3000-and-late compared to this South Korean boy band. Watch the video on YouTube and squeal like a schoolgirl from Seoul.
“Bad Girl, Good Girl,” miss A
The girls in miss A are underage, but that doesn’t mean you won’t scream along with their screw-you anthem. We like to think these South Korean Pussycat Dolls will end up sexily ever after with the SHINee boys.
“Tarab,” Khaira Arby
If you like Amadou and Mariam, or have never heard of them for that matter, take a sonic safari to Mali.
“Glass Mountain Trust,”
Mark Ronson & The Business Intl. feat. D’Angelo
London/New York producer Mark Ronson teams up with R&B singer D’Angelo to deliver this soulful dance track that somehow sounds like a stadium song.
GIRL POWER
“Sunshine,” Rye Rye feat. M.IA.
This woman was born in 1990. And M.I.A. just signed her. While you ponder that, let Rye Rye’s beats pump and bump away
your jealously
“Poor Animal,” Zola Jesus
Whooping goth-party melodies make Zola Jesus a band to watch. Another youngster, lead singer Nika Danilova is a 21-year-old classically trained opera singer.
“Higher,” The Saturdays
British girl group The Saturdays could never live up to the Spice Girls, but their songs are oh-so-catchy. On the plus side, at least we don’t have to deal with another Scary Spice.
MUSIC MENAGERIE
“Tuesday in Tuskegee,”
Bee vs. Moth
WNUR was way ahead of the curve when they invited this Austin-based jazz ensemble to play in their studio in 2009. Off the band’s sophomore album, this track is like a moody walk through your favorite noir movie.
“Back Home,” Gold Panda
This electro song is paired with an experimental video of vintage home movies that progresses to footage of a woman swimming topless, then back to the home movies. Yearning strings smooth out the glitches to make this a relaxing study jam.
“Lucky 1,” Avey Tare
The Animal Collective vocalist/mastermind is set to release a solo album at the end of October. This song sounds similar enough to the band’s work which, (say what you want), automatically warrants attention.
BEST ON YOUTUBE
“Only the Lord Knows,” Mavis Staples feat. Jeff Tweedy
Chicago native Mavis Staples teams up with Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy to sing “Only the Lord Knows.” Staples’ age (she’s 71) only thickens the soul on this track and throughout the whole gospel album.
“Team Radio,” Plains
This song from South Florida band Plains screams garage rock and testosterone. It’s upbeatand catchy enough to be your rally cry when you wake up and remember it’s winter.