RollnSmokeRecords Presents: Best New Songs Released in Past 60 Days

1) “Back to the Crib” – Juelz Santana featuring Chris Brown [12-21-09]. Hip-hop track by New York emcee with help on the hook and harmonies from bad-boy Chris Brown.

2) “Rap Up 2009” – Skillz [1-2010]. Spare, smart and clever hip-hip that you want to hear out to the end by veteran emcee who lays out an annual track that tells the downtown entertainment stories of 2009.

3) “Gold Guns Girls” – Metric [12-1-09]. Alternative rock track from band out of Canada with special props to lead singer – brassy, sexy, Emily Haines – and this acoustic EP version, is especially stellar.

4) “This is War” – 30 Seconds to Mars [12-8-09]. Alt-indie emo-rock charged track with the undercurrent of service to war and fighting to the death.

5) “The High Road” – Broken Bells [1-15-09]. The lead single from forthcoming album by Danger Mouse and The Shins’ James Mercer is dreamy, alt-space pop.

6) “Party in the USA” Remix – Miley Cyrus re-mixed with Notorious B.I.G. (un-released). An unlikely cocktail of girly-q pop and hard-core, old school rap.

7) “White Sky” – Vampire Weekend [1-11-10]. This easy-going track about kicking it in Manhattan, off the follow-up to their 2008 debut, sounds very much like a nod to Paul Simon’s Graceland, mixed with Vampire’s own preppy, indie-rock.

8) “United States of Pop 2009” – (Jay Sean and Lil Wayne) -- DJ Earworm [un-released]. A clever musical collage of hugely popular hits from 2009, set primarily to the pop song “Down.”

9) “Soldier of Love” – Sade [1-12-10]. A different sound for the melancholy soul singer, smoking-hot in the 80’s, with angular percussion and discordant back-up vocals.

10) “A Lifeless Ordinary (Need a Little Help)” -- Motion City Soundtrack [1-15-10]. Peppy, alternative/emo-rock off major label debut by group out of Minneapolis and Virginia with big guitar and pop vibrato hooks.

… The Following Tracks are Among the Best Tracks Released in the Past 60 Days -- currently unavailable on Playlist.com – but worth checking out …

1) “Healing Hands” – Citizen Cope [1-19-10]. It’s been a while for Citizen Cope – but here it is – a new, mellow alt-track by Clarence Greenwood – the man and the band – out of Memphis.

2) “I Feel Good” – Mary J. Blige [12-22-09]. It’s easy to get a load of this breezy, upbeat maxi-groove by R&B soulstress.

3) “We Belong to the Music” – Timbaland featuring Miley Cyrus [12-8-09]. It’s shameless pop – it’s Miley Cyrus! – teaming up with Timbaland – but it’s upbeat music you can dance to!

4) “Nothin’ on You” – B.o.B [12-15-10]. Official debut single by new-comer, Atlanta-based Bobby Ray features hip-hop sandwiched between easy, melodic hooks.

5) “You're All I Need To Get By” -- Melba Moore & Phil Perry [officially un-released]. With an old-school R&B groove, this duet pulls off their uniquely own version of classic track.

6) “Slumdog Millionaire” – Wyclef Jean [11-10-09] HAITI featuring Cindy Lauper. With a vague backbeat similar to the theme song but with its own hood feel, Lauper hits the melodic refrain and a Lucious LuLu solo while Wyclef raps for the meat of the track.

7) “Lovesick” – Lindstrom & Christabelle (12-11-09]. Down-tempo, funky track by Norwegian pair comprised of disco producer and songstress.

8) “Hey Hey” – Dennis Ferrer [12-18-09]. This big number among the Hot Dance Club Song features a techno backbeat and soulful female vocals.

9) “Coastal Break” – Tycho [12-8-09]. Instrumental electronica track that ebbs and flows with upbeat synths by indie group out of San Francisco.