Jen Wood, courtesy. Jen Wood sang harmony with Ben Gibbard on the Postal Service’s “Nothing Better,” but she’s got a solo career of her own. The Seattleite’s got an album coming out this fall, and this is the first taste from it.

Anthony D’Amato, courtesy. I’ve known Anthony D’Amato not as a musician, but a publicist (thanks for hooking me up with my Macklemore interview). So a couple of months ago, I was surprised to get a bounce-back email that said he had left his day job to pursue music full-time.…

Eliot Sumner, courtesy. What’s that, you say? This sounds just like Sting; his son, perhaps? Well, you’re wrong. This is Sting’s daughter, and it’s amazing how much she sounds like her dad. It’s a distinctly unique voice that drew me in right away. Eliot Sumner used to perform as…

There’s so much atmospheric folk pop out there that it’s easy to give up on it all together. Everyone seems to be combining electronica with wood blocks and world-weary vocals these days. But this tune by Field Report is worth a listen from start to finish. “Wings” is a…

Charli XCX performs at the Fox Theater in Oakland on July 23, 2015. I haven’t read “The Fault In Our Stars,” but I’ve heard so much about it I kind of want to now. This Charli XCX song is a big reason why. The soundtrack curated for the film adaptation…

Jet Setter, courtesy. I did a double-take when first listening to this one, but then I realized this song is basically “Don’t Change,” the great INXS track. Still, that doesn’t take away from the song, to which the Irish quartet brings the Britpop treatment.

The Pierces, courtesy. The Pierces came up through the Nashville music scene. They were a country/Southern/ ’60s AM radio-inspired sister duo, who may have gotten their first break thanks to Coldplay. The U.K. band invited Allison and Catherine Pierce to open for them on the Mylo Xyloto tour. Coldplay bassist Guy…

Hozier, courtesy. Any fans of Irish folk singer-songwriters out there? Born in County Wicklow on St. Patrick’s Day, 24-year-old Andrew Hozier-Byrne has released two EPs and is currently working on a full-length debut. The comparison mentioned in a press release I received was to a male Adele. I think Hozier is…

Johnny Cash, courtesy. In the ’80s, Johnny Cash recorded an album that was never released. That’s happening this year, and it will include some new mixes, including this song, which was remixed by Elvis Costello. Check it out below.

Morgan Kibby of White Sea. Courtesy. I was interviewing Jean-Philip of St. Lucia just yesterday, and brought up M83, whose early music is an influence on St. Lucia. I only mention that now because White Sea is the project of M83 keyboardist and vocalist Morgan Kibby. In “Prague,” she…