Loney Dear

On Dear John, Emil Svanängen (aka Loney Dear) sets contrasting moods through his subtle use of light, dancey sounds and melancholic lyrics. Various acoustic and electronic elements are interwoven throughout the album, including pastoral strings, '80s synths, and programmed dance beats, and are juxtaposed with verses full of despair. Jessica Suarez of ABC News calls Dear John "a great Winter record...you stay inside, and pull up the covers, and you listen to this record."

For fans of: Peter Bjorn & John + Jens Lekman + Sufjan Stevens

The RZA

With all of the kung fu imagery and samples employed by the Wu-Tang Clan, it's always seemed natural for Wu member RZA to score martial arts films. After his work on Kill Bill Vol. 1 and Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, RZA is back with the original score to Afro Samurai: Resurrection, a film based on the anime series starring Samuel L. Jackson. It takes an exceptional artist to create a soundtrack that stands on its own, and the RZA's music has been praised as "dreamlike" by Jim Jarmusch (director of Ghost Dog).

For fans of: Wu-Tang Clan + Gravediggaz + Kung fu movies

Thunderheist

Montreal duo Thunderheist is bringing boom-bap and Southern bounce to the electro scene in '09. Pitchfork calls their music "closer to crunk than to Justice," and it definitely knocks hard. In 2006, Nigerian-born emcee Isis got together with producer Graham Zilla (whose Santogold remix has been heating up the blogs), and since then it's been a slow burn of sweaty shows and furious praise, all on the road to their debut album this March!

For fans of: Simian Mobile Disco + Kid Sister + Chromeo

Omar Rodriguez-Lopez

Known for his extended improvisational guitar solos, dense sound effects, and progressive songwriting, Omar Rodriguez-Lopez has proved himself an unstoppable creative force. When on break from touring with his band, The Mars Volta, Rodriguez-Lopez is always working on one of his many side projects, and Old Money is his newest effort. He calls it "a 10-track collection of concise rock compositions" with sounds ranging from Middle Eastern-infused psychedelia to dark, heavy funk -- all with plenty of virtuosic guitar licks throughout.

For fans of: The Mars Volta + Frank Zappa + Robert Fripp

Sepultura

Welly welly well, my droogies, what's this I viddy? A new album by Brazil's Sepultura, inspired by me, the hero of A Clockwork Orange! I did consider a break from the old ultra-violence to sit down with a nice metal album, and this is quite an achievement, O my brothers. Especially track 16, in which the lovely Ninth Symphony of our friend Ludwig Van is given the thrash treatment. Slooshy this album, my droogs, you are invited!

For fans of: Slayer + Pantera + Kreator

Black Gold

Prior to forming Black Gold, Eric Ronick and Than Luu were touring musicians working with Panic At the Disco, M. Ward, and Rachael Yamagata. The two first met on the set of the Craig Kilborn show while they were backing other artists, and soon began writing and recording songs together during their time off. On Rush, the band cites a variety of influences, from '60s psychedelia to Queen to Hot Chip, making for an alternative pop album that's got something for everybody.

For fans of: Panic At The Disco + The Killers + Fall Out Boy