WORTH A LISTEN: Walkmen - Woe Is Me

A low-key oddball indie strummer off the much-hyped Lisbon.

WORTH A LISTEN: Liars - No Barrier Fun

The kings of weird throw a three-note piano loop over a bubbling cauldron backbeat for a song that is (somehow) surprisingly fun.

WORTH A LISTEN: Arcade Fire - Ready to Start

Canadian softies The Arcade Fire kicking a little ass.

WORTH A LISTEN - The Black Keys - Everlasting Light

A sexy ass mid-album track (off Brothers) from the Black Keys, a.k.a. the only blues that people like myself ever need.

WORTH A LISTEN: The Books - All You Need is a Wall

Beautiful and haunting ballad from The Books' new The Way Out.

WORTH A LISTEN: Japandroids - Darkness on the Edge of Gastown

Japandroids apparently used to sound fuzzier and more angsty. Good to know.

WORTH A LISTEN: Janelle Monae - Sir Greendown

An amazing, sultry jam that combines the retro with the futuristic in a haunting and dreamy kind of way. A must-listen.

WORTH A LISTEN: Dr. Dog - Mirror, Mirror

It's rare that the chorus is my least favorite part of a song, but the calmer repetition of "mirror, mirror" acts as the only stumbling block to an otherwise impressively jubilant effort. Still can't tarnish a great song, which builds towards a manic finish.

WORTH A LISTEN: Blitzen Trapper - The Tree (ft. Alela Diane)

A beautiful acoustic guy-gal duet full of natural imagery and elegant twang. "La La  La   La   La   La  La La  La La  La..." Oh, how the Blitzen Trapper can handle some easy listnin'.

WORTH A LISTEN: Apples in Stereo - Dream About the Future

There's a few tracks off Travellers in Space and Time that are Apples in Stereo's most buoyant in years, but the one most begging to accompany an iPod strut is the infectious "Dream About the Future." Sure, it sounds exactly like ELO circa 1985, but this would've definitely made the Best Of.

WORTH A LISTEN: Big Boi - Daddy Fat Sax

The Outkast half that still consistently writes verses drops this horn-heavy jam that makes cool look easy. The deep Southern voice over the chorus and the Milky Way synths justifies lines like "My ear to the streets and my eyes to the sky/I'm on another planet my nigga and you just fly."

WORTH A LISTEN: MGMT - Congratulations

A great, laid-back cut from MGMT's latest. I wouldn't mind another "Time to Pretend," or at least another "Kids," but I guess this is a nice lil' summer strum-along...

WORTH A LISTEN: Caribou - Odessa

What genre is this? Don't matter. Stellar, danceable, hypnotic.

The video = drab, but weird enough.

WORTH A LISTEN: Strong Arm Steady - Best of Times (ft. Phonte)

It's worth a listen for Phonte (a.k.a. the third rapper), who's one of the best at his best.

WORTH A LISTEN: New Pornographers - "Valkyrie in the Roller Disco"

New Pornographers get all Iron & Wine on "Valkyrie in the Roller Disco," the most restrained and immediately memorable cut of their much-hyped Together. Enjoy.

WORTH A LISTEN: Crystal Castles - "Celestica"

Less glitchy and startling, more fist-pumping than previous Crystal Castles. In a good way.

WORTH A LISTEN: Drake - Over

This song has definitely questioned my non-believer status. I used to think Drake was some nobody Lil' Wayne picked up because he did a pretty good Lil' Wayne impression without overshadowing.

But given Weezy's relative absence this year, this is going to be the radio pop song to top in 2010.

Side question: Does the really lame video (and the implicit uncoolness it reveals) make Drake's brand of culturally relevant pop music more or less appealing? Discuss.

WORTH A LISTEN: Los Campesinos! - There Are Listed Buildings

My favorite go-to band when I'm in the need for manic eccentricity, Los Campesinos! return to the scene with this effortless piece of alt rock power pop. Great low-tech video too.

WORTH A LISTEN: Gucci Mane - Lemonade

You'd be remiss if you didn't think the chorus to the (overrated) Gucci Mane's "Lemonade" sounds a little hipster. Attention: Girl Talk. This is both a gift and a mandate: mix away. In the meanwhile, let Gucci slur along loopily, in anticipation of the youthful, multi-layered non-sequitor that pleases but never quite satiates: "Lemon in the shade with my feet up...lemon pepper wings and a freeze cup."

WORTH A LISTEN: Beach House - Norway

Beach House bring an impressive amount of energy and life to their latest Teen Dreams, but manage to maintain their trademark haze throughout. The bending warp of guitar wafting throughout "Norway" provides the essential uneasiness to an otherwise densely upbeat rhythm. The sound is entirely euphoric, like the drugs are finally kicking in.