A unique blend of contemporary dance music and reggae leads off this week's list. There are no blockbuster releases, so it is a great week to explore a bit deeper into unfamiliar pop music.
1. Skrillex and Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley - "Make It Bun Dem"
Courtesy Big Beat
Skrillex, one of today's top electronic remix artists, joins forces here with Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley and his reggae-dancehall pastiche. Damian Marley's last two albums were top 10 hits. Skrillex has yet to chart that high but he is a serious buzz artist in the electronic music field and among critics.
2. Metric - "Youth Without Youth"
Courtesy Mom & Pop
Canadian electronic pop-rock band Metric are on the verge of a major breakthrough in the US. Their most recent album Fantasies was their first to chart in the US and it reached #76. It was a top 10 platinum certified hit at home in Canada. The album also included two top 40 rock songs hits "Help I'm Alive" and "Gold Guns Girls."
3. The Offspring - "Days Go By"
Courtesy Columbia
The Offspring are one of the all time most commercially successful punk bands. "Days Go By" is the title song and first single from the group's upcoming ninth studio album, their first in four years. Five of the group's previous albums have reached the top 10 including 1998's #2 hit Americana. The Offspring have hit the top 10 of the alternative songs chart 16 times.
4. Laura Gibson - "Lil' Red Riding Hood"
Courtesy Barsuk
Folk artist Laura Gibson was asked to record this Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs classic for a Volvo commercial. She gives the song almost a spooky feel. The original version was released in 1966 and was a #2 gold certified pop hit single. It was a follow up to the group's breakthrough #2 hit single "Wooly Bully" from 1965.
5. Lit - "You Tonight"
Courtesy Megaforce
The alternative rock band Lit are based in Fullerton, California. "My Own Worst Enemy," the lead single from the group's second album, 1999's A Place In the Sun, was a #1 hit on the alternative songs chart. "You Tonight" is the first single from the album The View From the Bottom, the first new studio album by the group in eight years. It is scheduled for release June 19, 2012.
6. Milo Greene - "Don't You Give Up On Me"
Courtesy Chop Shop / Atlantic
Milo Greene is an imaginary character and name adopted by a pop band. The atmospheric sounds of the group were showcased this spring in Austin, Texas at the SXSW Festival.
7. Kid Cudi - "Pursuit Of Happiness" (Steve Aoki Remix)
Courtesy Universal
The original recording of "Pursuit Of Happiness" was released as a single from Kid Cudi's debut album Man On the Moon: The End Of Day in 2010. It was produced by Ratatat and featured vocals from the alternative group MGMT. Remixer Steve Aoki has often featured a remix of the song in his live shows. Now, due to demand by fans, the remix has been released as a new single.
8. Cassandra Wilson - "Red Guitar"
Courtesy One Music
Cassandra Wilson is one of the most acclaimed of today's jazz vocalists. She has won two Grammy Awards. Her most recent album Silver Pony was a top 10 hit on the jazz albums chart in 2010.
9. Nas - "Daughters"
Courtesy Def Jam
Nas is one of the most critically acclaimed of rap artists. "Daughters" is a single from his upcoming album Life Is Good due in stores July 17, 2012. Four albums by Nas have reached #1 on the album chart. Four of his songs have been top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100.
10. Serj Tankian - "Figure It Out"
Courtesy Reprise
Serj Tankian is the lead vocalist of rock group System Of a Down. "Figure It Out" is the first single from his upcoming third solo album Harakiri. His first studio album Elect the Dead was a top 5 hit on the album chart. It included the #3 alternative songs hit "Empty Walls."
