GOOD LISTENER

Five songs that will be music to your ears.

The cast of Glee - "Push It"
Unabashed endorsement: I'm fairly convinced that this new TV show only serves one purpose—to bring me happiness. In each episode, the cast cover at least one song, ergo this Salt-n-Pepa do-over. Granted, one can do no wrong dipping into the S-n-P pool, but still…damn!

Mo-dettes - "White Mice"
The Mo-dettes were a criminally underappreciated all-girl punk band—which included Kate Korris (the Slits, the Raincoats)—that formed in late-’70s London. This number, which manages to walk the fine line between new wave and no-wave, is weird and danceable in all the right ways. Plus, it's even better when you watch the video for it (a big thanks to music omnivore/NYLON contributor Douglas Wolk for the linkage).

Clare and the Reasons - "Ooh You Hurt Me So"
Brooklyn's helium-voiced Clare Muldaur Manchon coos ever-so-sweetly about the bummer part of love in this midtempo indie-pop cut. Think Regina Spektor x Nina Persson + random whistling, and you've got the gist.

Basement Jaxx (feat. Kelis, Meleka, and Chipmunk) - "Scars"
Back in July, a few of us NYLON staffers went to this Diesel event featuring the Roots. Kelis—who'd literally given birth about a week before—turned up looking, to everyone's amazement, like her gorgeous ol' self. Same goes for her appearance on this haunting, exotic new offering from the Jaxx. Although Kelis is on a maternity leave of sorts, the smoky-voiced new mommy definitely hasn't lost her touch.

Casxio - "Seventeen"
Disco and funk go together smoothly like peanut butter and chocolate. But don't take our word for it! Feast your ears on this tune from a sonically limber, falsetto-loving foursome from Los Angeles.
NISHA GOPALAN



This story was published on September 11, 2009.