Some Other Circus Girl Is Dressing Up Tonight

Gene Serene & John Downfall “The Hours” – Previous songs by Gene Serene have seemed almost freakishly self-assured and confident, but this track is nothing but raw vulnerability, as she laments “the hours I put in / to be the other girl.” It’s the flipside of “I Can Do Anything” and “You Want Me,” the sort of nagging insecurity that motivates one to create a seductive persona in the first place. Something has to be driving your competitive impulses, you know? The music itself is gorgeous, built on the foundation of a slowed down version of the Cure riddim, distant guitar sounds, and warm, delicate bass notes. (Click here to visit the official Gene Serene site.)

Los Super Elegantes “Dance” – This is technically an ESG cover, but there’s got to be a better word for what Los Super Elegantes do with this song. The basic elements that make “Dance” one of the best dance songs ever written remain intact, but the band adds new verses and hooks that actually build on the greatness of the original. It’s rather like buying a buying a beautiful old house and renovating it so that everything you add to the structure only enhances the aesthetic charm of the design. (Click here for the official Los Super Elegantes site.)

Please note that both acts today are currently unsigned. This is sort of mindboggling given all the mediocre or outright awful acts who actually do have labels.