weltschmerz

Mates Of State
Goods (All In Your Head)

from All Day EP (2004)

Mates Of State have been on my "check out" list for a while. The duo have been around performing for a few years, and in fact became husband and wife in 2001. As soon as I heard Goods (All In Your Head), I was hooked on their charming indie-pop. Infectious boy-girl harmonies, keyboard bursts that sound like sunshine through your speakers, pure summery perfection. File with The New Pornographers, Joy Zipper, The Wannadies and Azure Ray.

Hurry over to Download.com and the world will seem like a better place.


Robyn
Be Mine!

from Robyn (2005)

I first heard this track on Fluxblog a couple of months ago. Robyn is a Swedish pop star; her fourth, latest and self-titled album has just been released, on which Be Mine! appears as the lead single. Unrequited love isn't meant to sound this good.

For stabbing strings and an anguished chorus, thank The Selector.