Music

Mayer Hawthorne--A Strange Arrangement What could be a gimmick--a sharp-dressed white twentysomething singing classic 70s soul in a perfect falsetto--turns out to be quite good. While Sharon Jones and the rest of the Daptone record label is able to nail the sound and feel of this classic period better, Mayer Hawthorne's songs and subtle sense of humor set him apart. Bonus points for releasing a single on a piece of red heart-shaped vinyl.

The xx--xx These four British youngsters have been getting quite a bit of press in a very short amount of time (gotta love that British music press). We usually approach these situations with skepticism, but something about the first single we heard from the group, "Crystalized," caught our attention. Most young bands try to do too much on their first record, pouring everything they have into it. This band shows remarkable restraint and makes subdued, sophisticated pop music.