The National
“Blank Slate” (Beggars Banquet)
The National doesn’t rock out very often, but when it does—like on this agreeably thumping number from the band’s new Virginia EP—you can almost forgive singer-lyricist Matt Berninger for being such a mopey fuck.

Usher (featuring Jay-Z)
“The Best Thing” (Sony BMG)
Usher begs his boo’s forgiveness for being a “horrible man”, a “jerk”, and a “damn fool”. He should be begging our forgiveness for that icky single about boning chicks on a crowded dance floor. This track’s infectious beat almost—almost—makes up for “Love in This Club”.

The Heavy
“Set Me Free” (Counter)
Debunking the long-held belief that there’s nothing sexy about the British, “Set Me Free” plays like a smashingly slinky response to Queens of the Stone Age’s “Make It Wit Chu”. It also delivers 90 percent more cowbell.

Quiet Village
“Silent Movie” (!K7)
Slow-jam instrumental shit that’s so impossibly funky you’ll change your name to Huggy Bear, invest in a 24-karat pimp chalice, and spring for a fedora with the world’s most muthafuckin’ large purple feather.

Hot Panda
“Chinatown Bus” (Mint)
If Iggy Pop and the Islands had a love child, said offspring would, in a perfect world, pick up its first guitar and belt out a sweetly witty ballad of Gypsy-pop riffs that sounds just like this one.

Soilent Green
“Mental Acupuncture” (Metal Blade)
With the cowboys from Pantera not getting back together until the inevitable reunion in hell, Soilent Green steps into the void with a grinding dose of hardcore-glazed, classic southern metal.

Dearly Beloved
“Candy Coated” (Warner)
Just when you think Dearly Beloved’s bass-bombed, boy-girl take on garage-y power-pop can’t get more excellent, covocalist Rob Higgins blurts out, “Say my fucking name!” Sadly, you’ll be too dumbstruck to answer.

The Do
“Playground Hustle” (Independent)
This Parisian-shuffle-infused pop-rock nugget has melodies that dive deep enough to prompt our inner rebels to dance, dance, dance… When no one is looking.

Alkaline Trio
“In Vein” (Epic)
A war-whoop whoa-whoa chorus and ska-tinted verses add up to something if not Sublime, then at least better than anything Less Than Jake ever put out.

Beck
“Chemtrails” (Interscope)
Having proven himself adept at just about every other genre, Beck tackles late ’60s psychedelic prog to suitably acid-washed effect—even though the song itself is sombre and haunting.