Major Key Angels Sing

James Rabbit “She Speaks, Rings, and Chimes” – The really lovely thing about “She Speaks, Rings, and Chimes” is how when the band sing “closer, closer, closer!” on the chorus, it actually feels as though they are actually approaching their destination. So what is the destination? Well, it’s a song about infatuation, so transitioning from courtship to a relationship is a goal, for sure. But it’s also a song about finding the best way to communicate, and attempting to articulate positive emotions in a way that does justice to their nuance and grace. In either scenario, the song finds us at a moment just before the breakthrough, and so each second buzzes with excitement, anticipation, and courage. (Click here to buy it from the James Rabbit website.)

Monkey “Heavenly Peach Banquet” – Although the man is a stylistic chameleon with few peers, this is nevertheless nearly unrecognizable as a Damon Albarn composition. His gift for melody is apparent, but there’s a stillness and fragility to the piece that sets it apart from his previous work. Obviously, the Chinese vocals and lyrics are a factor, but more than anything, the difference is the overwhelming femininity of the song and its arrangement, and the way it marries its Chinese influences to an ethereal European pop sensibility not too far removed from, say, Kate Bush. (Click here to buy it from the Monkey – Journey To The West website.)