California club pop chirper Dev’s debut is as stark as it is sweet. This is owed partly to the casually giddy lightness of her talk-singing – familiar from her slizzered 2010 cameo on Far East Movement’s smash "Like a G6," and around-the way-girl frisky like 1980s Latin freestyle. Escaping her smalltown in "Getaway," Dev opens her album braving the unknown. From there, the Cataracs’ stripped-bare basement electro production ensures the darkness she’s dancing into feels exhilarating and disruptive."No Scrabble game night,"she warns, but her bass is down low and a thump's in her trunk – disco lives, and Dev will survive.

Listen To Dev's "In My Trunk":

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• Photos: Random Notes

“More Than a Feeling”

Boston mastermind Tom Scholz was as surprised by anyone when he sent his unsolicited demo to record labels and got back a positive response. Scholz said, “I couldn’t believe it. Nobody knew who we were, so I wouldn’t even say we were struggling. It was groveling.” Part of the credit for the interest must go to the anthemic rock number "More Than a Feeling." Inspired by the Left Banke's 1966 hit "Walk Away Renee," Scholz worked on the song for five years in his basement studio before it was released on this album.