Kinda Obsessed: Great New Music Edition

Yesterday, if you have iTunes, was a great day for music. Or, I guess, if you have exactly the same kind of taste as me. Even though iTunes whittled its normally 4 pages of New Releases down to 2 because of lack of new music, those 2 pages contained some true gems. Let me show you.

ROBYN & ESTELLE'S BIG HITS FINALLY MAKE IT TO AMERICA

I've been hearing about Estelle's "American Boy (featuring Kanye West)" for over a month now but it's been available nowhere in the States. I was a big fan of her debute 1980--imagine Lauryn Hill with an accent and no chip on her shoulder--and "American Boy" is the follow-up single that could help her cross the Atlantic. I'm not sure how it will do because that is one thick Brit accent, but I know it'll be in heavy rotation on my iPod. And Robyn's "With Every Heartbeat" finally makes its way here after Pitchfork named it one of the best singles...of 2006. Her self-titled album had beats that would make Timbaland jealous and "Heartbeat" is an earnest collaboration that works as a ballad and a dancehall track.


Robyn - With Every Heartbeat

MEET SANTOGOLD

I saw Santogold at the Mark Ronson show in October and she sang "Pretty Green" and covered "Valerie" for a missing Amy Winehouse. (And, for those in the know, was that Santogold at the M.I.A. show at the Wiltern? It sure looked and sounded like her, but I can't be sure.) She finally released her EP and while it's only two songs, I will take what I can get. "Creator" sounds like M.I.A. with its sporadic production and yelped lyrics while "L.E.S. Artistes" is a bit slower and more melody-driven. Definitely worth the $1.99.

VAMPIRE WEEKEND!

Last but not least: the debut of Vampire Weekend. I love these guys. They sound like they've been watching Rushmore on loop for the past nine years and I mean that as the utmost compliment. Their melodies and vocals are reminiscent of the Kinks and their clinky, piano-and-strings intros could be sampled from a Mark Mothersbaugh score. And their lyrics are bitingly clever; "Oxford Comma," my favorite track, rags on people who take punctuation more seriously than their happiness. I will happily validate all their great reviews.

And, I almost forgot...look at this tour! An amazing line-up. I will definitely be there.

KANYE

LUPE FIASCO

RIHANNA

N.E.R.D.