My Ladies Are Like Wolves

Gameboy/Gamegirl “Sweaty Wet/Dirty Damp” – There’s a temptation to rebel against these sort of deliberate fun machines, especially if your idea of a great time isn’t so extremely lewd and extroverted, but there’s so much cutesy mischief and barely-contained glee to be found in this track that it’s hard not to at least smile along. Gameboy/Gamegirl are approximating the sound of booty bass and Funk Carioca, but something has been twisted in their adaptation of the formula, resulting in a track that filters those sensibilities through the fluorescent funk common to the music of fellow Melbourne dance acts such as Muscles, the Avalanches, and Cut Copy. (Click here for the Gameboy/Gamegirl MySpace page.)

Squimaoto “Rich In Vitamins” – The beat and arpeggios are not especially weird, but Squimaoto’s song still feels as though it has been folded inside-out. Not to imply that it sounds awkward — it moves along with this stealthy ninja grace, even when it launches into a noisy fit towards the end. (Click here to buy it from Brothersister Records.)

Elsewhere: My new Hit Refresh column is up on the ASAP site with mp3s from Luke Slater, Sylvie Marks & HAL9000, and Aesop Rock.

Also: Mike Barthel on cynicism, Stephen Colbert, blogs, and pop music.