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Listen Up! The Singles Roundup - March 9, 2007

The hottest singles aren't all "doe boy fresh" this week as a number of more archival tunes make a comeback on our earbuds. Retro's the new black, so tune in...

Robyn - "Konichiwa B*tches" [video]
This little talk-rap from veteran Swedish pop star Robyn, backed by a super-simple roboto beat, is undeniably infectious. In this goofball-fabulous video the brash bravado of her lyrics is perfectly undercut by the silly-simple, literal translation of them.

Smith - "Baby It's You"
Given new life through its inclusion on the soundtrack on Tarantino's new film, Death Proof, this 1969 top ten hit is a perfect car crash of rock riffs and soulful vocals, as Gayle McCormick takes us from breathy delivery to a full-on, heartbroken belt in 6 seconds flat.

Mike Relm - "Body Rock" feat. Gift of Gab and Myron Glasper
This slow-moving mash-up from Relm is surprisingly effective despite the fact that it's a bit of a one-trick (or one-cut) pony, relying heavily on samples from the Outfield's melodramatic "Your Love" hotwired to a smidgen of a rap skit/verse.

Lumidee - "She's Like the Wind" feat. Tony Sunshine [video]
There's something fascinating about the resurrection of this Patrick Swayze-sung Dirty Dancing tune as smooth club hit. But if you can overlook the pure cheesiness of Sunshine's balladry, you can see a glimmer of promise in Lumidee's too-sparse vocal appearance. Keep an eye on her—nobody puts Lumi in a corner.

Cloud Cult - "Take Your Medicine"
A dense and subtly epic indie-rock tune that builds from a driving drum and bassline and a fuzz of distortion to quiet bridges with just acoustic guitar, cello, and Craig Minowa's catchily repetitious vocals, and finally, a rousing full-band acapella refrain to close.

Johnny Cash - "How Great Thou Art"
The swelling piano chords that open "How Great Thou Art"—on the new Cash gospel album—seem almost schmaltzy in their simplicity and familiarity, but the keening mandolin line sweetens the song up, and when Johnny's baritone comes in quiet-like as if in an intimate conversation with God, well, what's not to like?

Let's Go Sailing - "Icicles"
Put the twee back in your sagging sails with this sugary sweet tune from singer-songwriter Shana Levy. A fondness for wistful sighs is required.

Of Montreal - "Heimdalsgate Like a Promethean Curse"
Like a whacky "Bohemian Rhapsody" for the anti-depressant-popping hipster set, "Heimdalsgate" somehow makes its wild eclecticism and mood shifts coherent and even lovable. If you missed the (much-hyped) boat to Montreal, get on now.

Illinois - "Screendoor"
This young Bucks County, PA band just sound like they're having a lot of fun on this good-natured, jangly rock tune led by Chris Archibald's scratchy barroom-bred vocals and lightened up by a profusion of sunny backing oooh-oooh-ooohs.

Three 6 Mafia - "Doe Boy Fresh" [video]
Now that Three 6 are Academy Award winners, they're taking it to the next level with this bizarro Being John Malkovich-riffing video that emphasizes their own ability to shape-change as they dance around a typically dark sample. (Nice Tab t-shirt DJ Paul!)

- Jocelyn K. Glei
03.09.07

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