The New 22 -- The Best New Songs Released in the Past 60 days -- 2/15/09

1) “I Love College” – Asher Roth [1-13-09]. A white boy rap applauding the indulgences of sex, drug, drinking and rock and roll that goes down in college.

2) “New Schools”—The Sea and Cake [10-21-08]. From October album release CAR ALARM (that snuck under Roll’s Rador!) an easy rock trio feauturing magnificent electric guitar riffs over streaming acoustic backbeat and day-dreamy vocals.

3) “Jailer” -- Asa [1-27-09]. NIGERIA. A smooth and modern fusion of R&B, soul and African jazz.

4) “Around the Bend” – Asteroids Galaxy Tour [10-21-08]. Another October release that snuck under the radar when first released but busted open when featured on “Gossip Girls,” this pop single features big horns and indie vocals to get the good times on “around the bend.”

5) “Black River” – Gui Barrato Remix by Bomb the Bass [12-16-08]. From Berlin’s !K7 label 2008 compilation, this tune features smoky vocals over an electronica-soul backbeat.

6) “Day Dreaming’” – DJ Drama feat. Akon and Snoop Dogg [1-12-09]. Akon and Snoop Dogg (-- one version includes T.I. as well! -- ) carry the tune for this underground hip-hop track that features a “g” who ponders his his fantasy girl, a go-go dancer.

7) “Supplier” – Shawty Lo feat. Lil Wayne and Trey Songz. Loaded to the gills with upbeat cameos, you feel part of the bling-bling R&B party.

8) “Calle Ocho” – Pitbull. Dance-able, hippity-hop backbeat, along with the sing-along “uno, dos, tres quarto”lyrics charges this track from Cuban-American-emcee rapper.

9) “ABC’s” – K’naan [1-27-09]. Punchy and aware, this hip-hop track by rising Somalia-born star is filled with old school backbeat -- raps traded with Chubb Rock -- and a big back-up chorus.

10) “Love, Save the Empty” – Erin McCarley [1-6-09]. Rich-voiced singer-songwriter deals out an array of throaty, moody tracks.

11) “You’re Not All That” – Herbaliser [12-16-08]. Retro soul track complete with deep-down lyrics and big band horns from !K7’s 2008 compilation Christmas release.

12) “Brandy of the Damned” – Nickel Eye [1-17-09]. Nikolai Fraiture, bassist from The Strokes, works his guitar through a repetitive pub rock refrain “Don’t Let Them Get you Down, They’ll Step on you to Get to Higher Ground.”

13) “The Heartbreak Rides” – A.C. Newman [1-20-09]. From the prolific musician of New Pornographers fame, this solo effort fully embraces the indie alternative genre with dueling guitars and shared harmonies.

14) “Black Velvet” – Ferry Corsten [1-27-09]. One of the founding fathers of Dutch trance launches this clubby melodramatic electro-dance track.

15) “I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris” – Morrissey [1-20-09]. More than anything, it’s good to hear from Morrissey again – on this hit single from his forthcoming album -- flinging and repetitive, but upbeat.

16) “Dreamgirl” – Tay Dizm featuring Akon [1-9-09] Another clean R&B pop single with Akon carrying the fluffy melody and “Nappy Boy” making punctuating cameos.

17) “That’s How I Go” – Baby bash feat. Mario [12-23-08]. A slower R&B groove, explaining all the gravy and the busy world-tour because that’s how “I Go.”

18) “You Can Get it All” – Bow Wow featuring Johnta Austin [2-3-09]. An easy R&B track, over a groovin’ backbeat with big vibrato background vocals.

19) “Get On Your Boots” – U2 [1-20-09]. An evolved, dance-worthy, and refreshingly un-high horse, post-punk rocker from the forthcoming album scheduled for release in March.

20) “Walking on a Dream” – Empire of the Sun [un-released]. Aussie duo pumps out an upbeat electro-charged pop dance tune.

21) “Blood Bank” – Bon Iver [1-20-09]. Wisconsin troubadour Justin Vernon’s easy vocals and mellow acoustic guitar mark his sophomore solitary effort.

22) “When She’s Near” – Fiction Family [1-20-09]. A short and sweet vocal-acoustic debut from Switchfoot singer Jon Foreman and Nickelcreek guitarist Sean Watkins.

ALSO NOTABLE …

23) “Therapy” – India.Arie featuring Gramps Morgan [12-16-08]. India.Arie’s rich and soulful voice combines with upbeat acoustic backbeat -- sugary sweet, with supporting background vocals by Gramps Morgan.

24) “Full Moon” – The Black Ghosts [12-23-08]. – A slightly retro, haunting and plaintive acoustic groove from duet formerly of UK’s Simian on their self-titled debut album.

25) “Block Party” – Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes feat. Shawty-Lo [1-27-09]. From her final album – EYE LEGACY -- before her tragic death in 2002 and only now released in the U.S., this track is re-worked and retro-fitted with the help of Lil Mama.

26) “No You Girls” – Franz Ferdinand [1-24-09]. A catchy dirty pop track from the post-punk Glasgow quartet.

27) “Poker Face” – Lady GaGa [12-16-08]. Electro-rock dance tune with pop vocals against an R&B backbeat.

28) “Dirt Room” – Blue October [12-23-08]. A gritty, hard rock tune from alternative brother-band from Texas.

29) “Right Round” – Flo-rida [2-1-09]. This hip-hop version is an instant pop R&B smash with its shameless rip on the 80’s dance classic by Dead or Alive.