When James Murphy, of LCD Soundsystem fame, puts his golden touch on something you know it’s gonna be pure magical ear candy and pop stardust on your brain. The Philadelphia quintet’s vocals are reminiscent of Ben Kweller with a healthy affection for feel-good classic rock anthems.

Free Energy – ‘Turnpike Ghost’

Lonely Island dropped a new video on SNL this weekend for ‘Boombox’ featuring everyone’s favorite Stroke, Julian Casablancas.  And in case you didn’t hear, The Strokes are hitting the road this summer with their first confirmed date as the headliners for Lollapalooza in August in advance of their new album, tentatively slated for September.

Here’s a little dose of awesomeness to brighten your Wednesday. The PS22 Chorus is a group of 5th graders, conducted by Gregg Breinberg, who audition annually for the choir at Staten Island’s largest elementary school. They also lent backing vocals to Passion Pit’s ‘The Reeling’ (see below).

Phoenix’s manager, Simon White, even sent the group a note of thanks:

Hi There. I’m one of Phoenix’s managers and just wanted to say how much we all loved the performance of Lisztomania. I wept within the first 30 seconds! It’s absolutely stunning, the arrangement is fantastic and the singing is just incredible.

The band and I were absolutely blown away – WOW!!!!

It’s an absolutely astonishing version and definitely my favourite “remix” of any of their songs. Please give the chorus our best wishes and sincere thanks.

Simon White
(Coalition Management)

It seems like MGMT is channeling some serious glam rock vibes for their new material. This seriously T-Rex inspired tune just showed up on their site for download, ‘Flash Delirium’. Space-age synthesizer? Check. Echo-effect chorus? Check. Pouty vocal delivery? Double check. Maybe the Thin White Duke will make a cameo when the video comes out…
MGMT – ‘Flash Delirium’

Wild Beasts owe a lot of their sound to fellow Brit band’s like the Editors (and vocalist/bassist Tom Fleming’s baritone croon), but definitely take more chances with their sound and their production cues. Lead singer Hayden Thorpe is much more likely to launch into a glam rock inspired falsetto that makes his gutter-punk subjects seem like kings and queens of a mythic proportion. They might be eccentric but they’re also full of drama and wild, unpredictable charm.

If Billy Joel ever penned a tune for the now defunct Panic at the Disco it’d probably sound something like Steel Train’s ‘Turnpike Ghost’. And that actually isn’t a bad thing, because as luck would have it the result is a make-your-ears-bleed percussive, charismatic track that has more in common with the Arcade Fire (with whom their live show is sometimes compared). Catch them while they’re out on the road supporting Tegan and Sara, and before their next album drops in June.

Steel Train – ‘Turnpike Ghost’

Hailing from LA, Voxhaul Broadcast are what I imagine a southern-tinged Cali pop outfit that folds in hues of The Walkmen would sound like if it was imagined by a bunch of British dudes. Except Voxhaul are from California. So go figure.

I don’t normally go in for the overly produced, super-high budget video game but I can’t pass up on a vid featuring my boy Bruce Willy lending his shiny pate for Damon Albarn and co’s new single, ‘Stylo’. It also doesn’t hurt that Mos Def AND Bobby Womack also lend their vocal talents. I guess Gorillaz are back soon with a new disc, Plastic Beach, which I’m sure will never leave teh radio or television waves for the next year…or two.

Here’s a new vid by pop/bluegrass band Mumford & Sons. Imagine the vocal harmonies of Fleet Foxes with more banjo (yes, you heard me right) and a more anthemic, poppy sound. Also, check out their awesomely raucous cover of Vampire Weekend’s ‘Cousins’.

Mumford & Sons – ‘Cousins’

Florence and the Machine – ‘You’ve Got the Love’ (The xx remix)

…but add some Essau (the Very Best) and what comes out the other the end of the Jamz Processor is pure magical ear candy. A remix that found it’s afro-beat heart and thus explodes with awesomeness.

The Very Best – ‘You Got The Love’ (The xx remix)