With his epic 2004 CD Radio JXL and his massive Elvis remix, Dutch producer Junkie XL proved that he could collaborate with just about anyone and come up with amazing electronic music. Pair him with legendary Miami Vice composer Jan Hammer and the results are even better than what you would expect. "Made For Each Other" is modern soundtrack electronica which we could imagine in the background of any major TV show yet strong enough to catch your attention. "Heart of Darkness" is another strong soundscape/downtempo electronic track that just aches for a top line vocal. Both of these tracks are quite strong and will satiate our appetite until a new CD of his masterpieces are ready.

Audio - Soundcloud
Check out more great music in the listening booth!
Image Courtesy of Nettwerk

"Rocket" blasts Goldfrapp into 2010 with a bevy of new themes, visuals, and sounds. The track represents the best of the 80's and Goldfrapp's take on glitzy power pop. The energy is palpable and so is the vitriol as there is no mistaking Alison's intent, despite the soaring and beautiful melodies. Head First, due on March 22nd, is led by "Rocket" and promises a bevy of power pop in a new direction for the London-based duo. Previous incarnations, for those who don't know, include fuzzy atmospheric pop, dizzy electronica, and electro glam rock. The video for "Rocket" is driven by a literal interpretation of the text as Alison drives her duct-taped ex-hunny (or perhaps the fey Alison of The Seventh Tree) to a launch site, a rocket hitched to the back of the rig she drives with the most psychotic look on her gorgeous face. She launches him into space after a short dance segment in the desert. Remixes by Tiesto, Grum, and Ralphi Rosario make the track soar onto different floors, depending on your tastes.

Video - YouTube
Check out more great music in the listening booth!
Image Courtesy of Mute

Groove Armada seems to be greatly branching out these days. "I Won't Kneel", the duo's lead single from their 2010 album Black Light is a Annie Lennox-esque synth ballad using the vocals of Saint Saviour, while their second single, "Paper Romance", is a more upbeat rock anthem again using Saint Savior and Feneche-Soler. The latter track specifically is a huge departure from Groove Armada's UK Top 10 2007 hit "Get Down", the featured singers putting on quite a rockstar performance in the video. The track is extremely catchy, and in today's heavy vocal synth-driven mainstream, it is definitely something the casual listener can latch onto while also providing a bit of substance to the electronic lover.

Video - YouTube
Check out more great music in the listening booth!
Image Courtesy of Om

Sounding like a massive concoction of Garbage, Saint Etienne, Dragonette, and Luciana Caparosa with a band (i.e. Portobella), Deluka's "Cascade" comes across as the glam lover's dream. With immediately accessible music and vocals, there's no denying this group's ability to craft a catchy tune, but there's something about "Cascade" that lingers after the final notes dwindle, and that's the mark of a truly great song. Don't believe us? Check out the additional Acoustic performance to see that this group has the ability to churn it out without the synths, too. So is it dance rock, electro pop, skuzz punk? We don't know, but we're having fun figuring it out.

Video - YouTube

Acoustic Version - YouTube
Check out more great music in the listening booth!
Image Courtesy of Vel Records