For a guy who made his name driving party people to ecstasy, Moby has always had a thing for the blues. His unlikely 1999 megahit, Play, used them literally, grafting ancient samples into inviting electronic grooves. His latest uses them spiritually, giving his melancholy streak room to brood and blossom. Instrumentals like "Shot in the Back of the Head" (Google the haunting video, directed by David Lynch) billow moodily, lush arrangements glowing with Eno-style analog-synth warmth. Never the most convincing singer, Moby wisely farms out vocal duties to friends — all of them unknowns and ripe for discovery. It's a return to form but with a wider romantic streak. Age will do that.

“Time to Pretend”

Listening to MGMT’s breakthrough song, one might interpret it as being about the excesses of rock stardom, but it’s actually about the duo’s pet praying mantis. Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden told Rolling Stone they got the idea from the insect's jerky movements. The mantis died, but the two bandmates kept the egg sack and allowed the hundreds of eggs to hatch. “We tried to name them all, but they died after a day,” said Goldwasser, with VanWyngarden chiming in, “But the praying mantis dance inspired us.”