Madonna “Give It 2 Me”
Pharrell provides the siren synths, and Madonna brings the fierceness on a bouncy dance tune that’s just as demanding as its title.
[Review]

Mudcrutch “Crystal River”
Think Tom Petty isn’t really a jam-band guy? This sprawling, organ-laden, Grateful Dead-style groove will prove you wrong.
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Santogold “Creator”
Santi White howls over alien-sounding keyboards and heavy dancehall rhythms in the best new tribal anthem not written by M.I.A.
[Listen]

Portishead “Machine Gun”
With a trip-hop beat and angel-choir vocals, this ballad proves that Beth Gibbons does the “bummed-out” thing better than anyone.
[Listen]

Robyn “Crash and Burn Girl”
This Swedish pop starlet stomps through an airy disco sample with all the attitude of a punk-rock cheerleader.
[Review] [Listen]