This week is partially me accounting for the fact that I missed last week (sorry). I wanted to make sure I had that Phoenix song in there because it is an excellent return for a band that has not recorded anything in a few years. This week also sees a rather big return with a new single from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, who have been absent for a few years. The other tracks fill out my usual wheel houses and are further evidence that my taste is deeply prejudiced to certain genres. For that, I half-heatedly apologize. 
 
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - "Sacrilege:" The Yeah Yeah Yeahs returned this week with a song that channels The Rolling Stones at their most baroque (see: "Gimme Shelter). Produced in part by TV on the Radio's Dave Sitek, "Sacrilege" continually ratchets up the intensity until Karen O is singing/screaming over a gospel choir.Who doesn't love the sudden interjection of a gospel choir? Hopefully, this album's music more than makes up for its horrible cover art.

Phoenix - "Entertainment:" I know I am a week late with this but I didn't do a column last week and had the write up for this ready anyway. So, yea...The largest complaint one could lob against the first single off of Phoenix's upcoming album is that it sounds exactly like Phoenix. "Entertainment" capitalizes on the French group's ability to work within the soaring and anthemic while mixing in somewhat despondent lyrics. A recent article in New Yorker revealed that the group recorded this and the rest of the new album on the console used to record Michael Jackson's Thriller. 



Yellowbirds - "Young Men of Promise:" Each week, there should be a point in this column where it becomes obvious where my musical preferences lie, and that I have a knack for ferreting out a wide range of indie pop from the week's releases. This week it is the new single from Yellowbirds. "Young Men of Promise" is a simple and bouncy psych-pop track to remind you of sunnier days while we continue to endure this lousy Smarch weather.

Small Black - "Free at Dawn:"  Off of their upcoming album, set to be released later this year, "Free at Dawn" opens with a slowly building synth, with vocals joining in and the beat hitting after a minute and a half. From there the song coasts along, ending in a gentle crescendo.

Saturday Looks Good to Me - "Invisible Friend:" I am really curious about how it takes certain tracks weeks and months to be billed as "new." "Invisible Friend" has apparently been out for 3 months but no one seemed to notice it until this week. Regardless, this new single is an uptempo and catchy song anchored by sugary female vocals and jangly guitars.