"Steppin' Up"-M.I.A.
Remember the days when M.I.A. used gunshots and cash registers in her songs? That was sooooo 2007. It's 2010, and you know what that means: power tools! Now a bonafide global superstar, thanks to the Seth Rogen and James Franco-approved "Paper Planes," M.I.A. certainly doesn't seem to be polishing her sound for radio play. This doesn't ring more true than on "Steppin' Up," M.I.A.'s pulsing new single off her upcoming release, Maya. The contrast between M.I.A.'s monotonous, robotic voice and distorted beats is striking, and characteristic of one pop's most authentic and unpredictable artists.
"Heaven's On Fire"-The Radio Dept.
A big thanks to Mr. Elbaz for introducing me to this gorgeous tune. Admittedly, I know very little of The Radio Dept. beyond this song. But if "Heaven's On Fire," which sounds like Jeff Tweedy fronting the Cure, is any indication, these Swedes have a lot to show us. It's bouncy, fun, and lovey-dovey ("When I look at you/heaven's on fire"), amounting into a very legitimate summer love song.
"Fo Yo Sorrows"-Big Boi ft. Too Short & George Clinton
First of all, a big shout out to George Clinton, Dr. Funkenstein himself, who never gets enough credit for his influence on modern rap and R&B music. Second of all, god bless Antwan Patton (aka Big Boi) for retrieving the baton from an incarcerated Lil Wayne and keeping hip-hop a little bit weird. "Fo Yo Sorrows" is classic Big Boi, filled with humorous wordplay ("Like Sean Kingston, suicidal for a title/My recitals are vital and maybe needed for survival) to complement his rapid flow. It's also funky as hell. Not bad for OutKast's weaker creative half.
-David Biel
