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The fast-paced, playful pop songs from the Arizona-based band What Laura Says are utterly infectious, full of quirky vocals and banged out piano chords. Lyrically, the record walks a line between comedic sarcasm and poignancy. But What Laura Says takes the pop formula one step further, injecting thick, full band instrumentation and a slew of retro sounds, from psychedelia to folk and bluegrass. The result is a very catchy record that keeps things light without losing any sort of musical integrity.

Catherine Russell embodies a voice so versatile, she transcends genres with each song. Showcasing a repertoire of blues, jazz, swing and R&B, Russell's new album Sentimental Streak is both powerful and vulnerable.

In his new album, The Hard Way, Hunter delves even deeper into soul, fusing his smoky voice with the sounds of surf music. With nods to American soul legends such as Sam Cooke and Ray Charles, Hunter maintains a sense of nostalgia, while infusing his sound with modern style and distinctive technique. Hear him when he stops by World Cafe with host David Dye.

As medal-winners step up to the podium in this year's Summer Olympics, commentator Miles Hoffman says, we're bound to hear quite a few national anthems, some of which come equipped with bad poetry and stilted music.

The Wrights are husband and wife team Adam and Shannon Wright of Nashville. The duo plays a brand of classic country that sticks to the genre's bluesy Americana roots, with minimal production, traditional instrumentation, and soulful vocals. The couple's latest release, In the Summertime, is a collection of folky country covers of songs by roots artists both classic (Lead Belly) and contemporary (Tim Carroll).

Like a less frenetic Animal Collective, The Dodos' members combine country-blues finger picking and tribal drumming in a way that's propelled them to the forefront of experimental folk music. Last year's Visiter aims to capture the bouts of passionate singing and explosive drum rhythms that characterize the band's live sets.

After a stint in the Peace Corps, the singer-songwriter made a bold move in his music career by sending his unsolicited demo to Sub Pop Records. After signing on, Moore recorded a gentle folk record called Stray Age.

After cultivating a strong local following, the Scottish band has burst into the indie scene with The Midnight Organ Fight. The album is packed with brash, emotional and heartbreaking songs that push until they explode in a cathartic wave of relief. They're painfully catchy and reflective at the same time.

The pair first enjoyed popular and critical acclaim in the early '90s. After a 10-year hiatus, Olson and Louris reunited for a mostly acoustic effort with an old-time bluegrass sound.

Two Austin musical institutions — Willie Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel — have teamed up on a new album to showcase classic western swing. With horns, fiddles and a pedal steel guitar, the music takes Nelson back to his roots. The project has been in the works for a while, having hatched from the mind of the great Jerry Wexler more than 30 years ago.