Mountain Man - "Around and Around"
Looks like my scratchy copy of Joni Mitchell's Blue might finally get a second of rest this holiday season, as I now have another favorite to spin courtesy of Mountain Man. The three ladies' delicate and meandering harmonies wrap around John Denver's "Around and Around" like so much shiny paper. It's basically the prettiest re-gift ever. MELISSA GIANNINI
Beyonce - "Rockets" (30-second preview)
Blue Ivy may be featured on the last track of the Queen's new album, but we'll have to cover her ears (and eyes!) for this one. In "Rockets," a boudoir ballad with R&B flair and a melody that sways like the songstress' hips, Beyonce is an embodiment of the elements, which she insists need exploring. The black and white video for the slow jam superimposes Bey's figure against a cloudy sky, rendering her curves almost as supernatural as her voice is sultry. (Get our full rundown on the album right here.) ALEXA PEARCE
Matthew Dear featuring Tegan and Sara - "Pale Shelter"
We're convinced that good things come in family packages. Example: The Olsens, HAIM, and, of course, our favorite twinning Canadian indie-rock duo, Tegan and Sara. The Quin sisters teamed up with Matthew Dear to produce a glittering rendition of Tears for Fears' "Pale Shelter," infusing the track with poignant riffs and fist-pumping percussion, all while keeping the original's new-wave vibe. BANU IBRAHIM
Cherry Glazerr - "Haxel Princess"
The L.A. trio Cherry Glazerr emerged from the bedroom demos of Clementine Creevy, who'd been recording under the equally amazing name Clembutt (the band's current moniker was inspired by NPR reporter Cherry Glaser's name). The first single (and title track) off their upcoming debut full-length manages to evoke both Mary Timony and PJ Harvey with dreamy yet guttural insistence. MG
London Grammar - "Everywhere You Go"
Sometimes, all you need on a Friday is to relax to a stripped down, unplugged track. London Grammar seem to get that by ditching their claim-to-fame electronics for a mood-setting, au natural tune. The British trio's new unreleased single that has surfaced, filled with light bongos and folksy guitar, is the perfect touch to a night when all I want to do is don a Snuggie and forget how cold it is outside. BI