The Soul Is Torn In Two

Marianne Rosenberg “Wieder Zusammen” – This is a symphonic Philly-style disco song, but created by Germans in the mid-70s. It’s an immaculate and sparkling production featuring delicate, perfectly arranged layers of strings, piano, horns, and miscellaneous twinkling chimes. It sounds luxurious, expensive, and only slightly kitschy. It’s a gorgeous piece of music, but the vocals are the key element. I can’t understand a word that she’s singing, but Marianne Rosenberg’s voice conveys an intense joy and unapologetic pleasure that elevates the song to the realm of the sublime. (Click here to buy it from Amazon.)

Candie Payne “By Tomorrow” – The beat of this song is so steady and focused that every other element in the arrangement seems like a wandering thought in an otherwise one-track mind. Candie Payne’s voice is sweet and gentle, but she sounds distracted and confused, as though she’s suddenly being forced to think about a dozen things that she’s totally unprepared to deal with because she’s completely consumed by a single aspect of her life. (Click here to buy it from Amazon UK.)

Elsewhere: My new Hit Refresh column is up on the ASAP site with mp3s from YACHT, Pistol Pete, and MESH.

Also: Mike Barthel on Rihanna and Amerie.