This album is so epic and curious, it's similar to early Miranda July albums conceptually--it's talking, characters, confessions and some limited musical elements. Colloquial and conversational. Insightful and LOL-funny all the way through. Chatty and punk.--Jessica Hopper, music editor

This was my favorite midwestern soul surprise of the last century.
--Jessica Hopper, music editor

So, so glorious. The track shifts and syncopates and destroys itself by the end as more and more Call Me Maybes become one. From pure pop to pure noise terror in a minute.
--Jessica Hopper, music editor

It's a real Sophies Choice between the Pilooski edit and the Daphni remix here--two of my faves fix up a fine original by Cameroonian electro pioneer Francis Bebey.
--Jessica Hopper, music editor

This sophomore album from Swedish band Makthaverskan is one of my favorite albums to come out in the last few years. Makthaverskan's noisy brand of pop music will no doubt incite comparisons to The Cure, matching upbeat melodies with dark lyrics. Maja Milner's crooning vocals are absolutely incredible. Every single track on this album is worth buying, but if you only had to pick one I'd choose "No Mercy," a song that righteously calls out an ex-lover.
--Hazel Cills, staff writer

I saw Bosnian Rainbows live last year and was in total awe. I actually cried watching them, feelings were had big time! “Turtle Neck” is a nice intro: shimmery lush guitars, impassioned Siouxsie Sioux-esque vocals, unexpected tempo changes. It’s a perfect new romantic feeling pop rock ballad.
--Bianca Valentino, staff writer.

DJ Smurphy is crown princess of Mexico City's DGAF underground dance music menagerie, and most of her songs consist of her singing in a breathy, candied apple voice over slightly bizarre beats. She's an unabashed troll, which is cool because it feels like she's mostly trolling boys. (She even has a song called "Troll Romance.") This song is sparse and sneaky, and I think the lyric "open your mind and brain, I'll be there" is meant to be both sweet AND stalkery. --Julianne Shepherd, staff writer

Put this on as you're typing, sighing, writing in your diary, trying on skirts, and otherwise relishing being alone in your bedroom. You know how sometimes you're relieved that it's raining so you can stay indoors without guilt? I feel that way all the time, and so does this song. It's the exact same feeling of comfortable self-containment.
--Amy Rose Spiegel, staff writer

"Ice Cream" is a deeply weird and fantastic song about maybe getting ice cream in the middle of a fight with your /man lady? Or getting ice cream instead of breaking up? You can almost dance to it. The vibe is impeccable and the lyrics are next level.
--Jessica Hopper, music editor

I could deal with this song being about 27 minutes longer. Jillian Hervey could be singing Craigslist postings for used couches over this knick-knock snaps n' claps syncopation and I would still be shouting "THATS MY JAM!" from the mountaintop.
--Jessica Hopper, music editor

I got this as an actual IRL cassette from my favorite label, Teenage Teardrops but sometimes there is not a tape player around, you know? So I had to buy it for those times. It's deeply meditative and enhances my awareness of the world with it's twinkling. It's also the most like some of my favorite Lucky Dragons shows.
--Jessica Hopper, music editor