God Help The Girl

A new project from Belle and Sebastian's Stuart Murdoch, God Help The Girl is inspired by the bright-eyed girl-group pop of the '60s. Murdoch leaves the singing to a quintet of young women (whom he auditioned through a classified ad in Glasgow), while he plays backup with the other members of B&S; they even re-record some old favorites like "Funny Little Frog" and "Act of the Apostle." Entertainment Weekly says "anyone with a penchant for sparkling chamber-pop melodies, string-laden swells, and Broadway-baby pizzazz will swoon."

For fans of: Belle and Sebastian + Sandie Shaw + The Ronettes

The Lemonheads

Varshons is the ninth album from The Lemonheads, whom many remember as an alternative band that charted in the '90s with a cover of "Mrs. Robinson." Now frontman (and sole constant member) Evan Dando is back to old tricks, working with Butthole Surfer Gibby Haynes to produce a good-humored, country-flavored collection of covers, picking from Top 40 (Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful") as much as record shop basements (Sam Gopal's "Yesterlove"). On the new-wave curveball "Dirty Robot," Dando even includes his friend Kate Moss! NME says "no strangers to a cover, here the grunge-pop heroes perfect the art... gorgeous."

For fans of: The Replacements + Crash Test Dummies + Teenage Fanclub

Eugene McGuinness

Gritty, shambling art-rock rubs shoulders with soft balladry on Eugene McGuinness's second album for Domino Records. The 22-year-old Liverpudlian channels the Kinks through much of the album, but slowing down for "Those Old Black And White Movies Were True," he lays bare the real strength of his high voice in a chorus that won't leave your head anytime soon. Drowned in Sound calls it "a bold and confident piece of brilliance, equally off kilter as it is tenderly raw."

For fans of: Tapes 'n Tapes + The Magnetic Fields + Andrew Bird

The Radio Dept.

After their inclusion in Sofia Coppola's film Marie Antoinette, Swedish shoegaze-pop band The Radio Dept. enjoyed some much-deserved attention around the world. They've been relatively quiet since 2006's underrated Pet Grief, but are preparing to release a new album this September; "David" is the first single, and it's really, really good. Johan Duncanson's honeyed vocals get the slightest bit of edge with soft distortion, and there's even a tambourine.

For fans of: Slowdive + Pet Shop Boys + The Jesus and Mary Chain

The Budos Band

Recorded in between the sessions for their two full-length records, The Budos Band EP contains seven unreleased cuts from the Staten Island masters of funk. Members of the Dap-Kings and Antibalas fill out the 11-piece ensemble to make that unmistakable Daptone sound; this'll turn your morning commute into a '60s spy movie any day.

For fans of: Menahan Street Band + Antibalas + Tito Puente

Woolfy

For his solo debut, UK-to-LA electro maven Woolfy found a home on the venerable DFA Records, the prime purveyors of all things disco in '09. If You Know What's Good For Ya!! has crisp guitars and neon, space-age synths, but lazy vocals (like on the standout track "Odyssey") keep it grounded and smooth. Perfect for dancing with your eyes half-open; Los Angeles CityBeat calls it "pure atmosphere."

For fans of: In Flagranti + The Juan Maclean + LCD Soundsystem

Lord Cut-Glass

Ex-Delgado Alun Woodward found an uncommon inspiration for his solo work: scarlet fever. Sick and bedridden, he read through his girlfriend's books and decided to adopt a moniker from Dylan Thomas's Under Milk Wood; the resulting music is stately and eclectic, described by The Scotsman as "rich and elegant, awash with strings, brass, and some beautiful compositional elements." Start out with the free track "Even Jesus Couldn't Love You"!

For fans of: The Delgados + St. Vincent + Arab Strap

Ezekiel Honig

A washed-out New York scene is the cover of Ezekiel Honig's second album, People Places & Things, and like the title and album art, the music within is soothingly detached. Honig uses found sound and organic samples to make steady-paced, reflective techno; less complicated than most IDM, yet busier than a strictly ambient work, the album is just waiting to soundtrack a long walk exploring your own hometown.

For fans of: John Tejada + Aphex Twin + Four Tet

Charlie Robison

Bandera, TX native Charlie Robison was married to the Dixie Chicks' Emily Erwin last time we mentioned him, but the two've since parted ways. Lyrics on Beautiful Day like "I'm in love with you / Cause I got nothin' better to do" pack an extra punch with that in mind, but Robison isn't moping, and his first self-produced work shines with exceptional -- and yes, upbeat -- songwriting. Austin 360 calls it his "best album to date... Robison gets his swagger back."

For fans of: Steve Earle + Mark Chesnutt + Bruce Springsteen