The Strangest Feeling

Regina Spektor “Us” – I realize that this comparison may alienate a good number of you, but this song seriously sounds like that really annoying Tori Amos-for-dummies Vanessa Carlton hit as reinterpreted by Bjork. But it’s good. Somehow, some way, it works. Seeing as though this is a) quite pretty b) achingly earnest and c) Spektor has a singing style built around some vaguely irritating vocal tics (a prerequisate for all major female solo artists with an obsessive cult, aka “The Ani Factor”), this has the potential to become quite huge. (Click here to buy it from CD Baby.)

Chikinki “Ether Radio (Serge Santiago Version)” – Seriously now, what is it with all of these new British groups with Asian names? I’m not that crazy about the original mix of this song, but this electro remix works for me. This version spreads the song out a bit, and makes the affected punk vocals seem slightly out of place in a way which creates an enjoyable tension and reduces the obviousness of the song. Though this song seems like an obvious bit of Rapture bandwagon jumping, it’s still quality material. (Click here to buy it from EIL.)