Each Tuesday we will feature new music that should (or whatever) be on your radar.

Standouts:
1. Sia - "some people have real problems": Back in October, we had the chance to see Sia live at the Fillmore. Her press agent emailed us and told us that she was trying out new songs from her upcoming album "some people have real problems." At first, we were kinda bummed; we wanted to hear the music we loved. Boy, were we surprised by how much we loved the new stuff. Sia told the crowd, "Go home, download the album - it's somewhere out there on the internet. Just promise me that you'll buy the album when it comes out." It was done. We promised - even crossed our hearts. Today, we can stick to that promise and purchase it.

Don't be fooled by the juvenile hand-writing or Crayola markers on the cover of this album. This is anything but juvenile. Each song Sia creates an emotional journey - sometimes literal, sometimes metaphorically - where she discovers something very important. The life-saving "Little Black Sandals" lets us see her struggle on starting a new life. She sings, "These little black sandals/Are walking me away/These little black sandals/Saved my life today." Sia travels back and forth between hopeful optimism and deep emotional betrayal. The heartfelt pleas in "The Girl" seem a bit shallow until you realize that the song is really called "The Girl [You Lost to Cocaine]." "No I don't need drama, so I'm walking away/Yeah I am a girl with a lot on her plate." Yikes.

In "You Have Been Loved" her lover walks away and she is left behind feeling empty: "Only sadness remains/And it will pass." This album ends up being emotionally-charged without being superficial and meaningless yet somehow it still remains upbeat. If you missed her last show at the Fillmore, it's okay, she's back in February (the 18th to be exact). Get your tickets now; it was nearly sold-out last time.

Download: "Day Too Soon" and "You Have Been Loved"

For more info on other CD releases, take the jump...

Please Let Us Know What You Think About:
1. Kate Nash - "Made of Bricks": A strong start to 2008. This is perfect timing with her upcoming debut at popscene on Saturday. We can't get "Foundations" (see above) out of our head and that's a good thing. We love it. With other songs named "Dickhead" and "Shit Song" we have a feeling that her witty lyrics just keep on getting better and better. "Don't give me shit/cause I know you are full of it/you're full of shit/you're full of shit." Please, Kate, tell us what you really think.

2. Xanadu - The 2007 Broadway Cast Recording: Xanadu (see below) has been described to us on several occasions as the "perfect musical for the 40 year-old gay man." We swear. Based on the truly horrible Olivia Newton-John movie, "Xanadu" has surprised audiences and critics as one of the great musicals of the 2007-08 Broadway season.




3. Juno - Original Soundtrack Recording: This has been available on iTunes for several weeks, but if you like a hard-copy, then you can get one today. We told you to watch this movie only yesterday. This critically acclaimed movie is destined to win a few awards in upcoming months. Belle & Sebastian, Cat Power, The Velvet Underground and Buddy Holly are some of the artists that contributed to this unforgettable soundtrack.

4. Take Flight - 2007 London Cast Recording: Another Broadway show is being released today, but this one was seen only in London. A NYC workshop featuring the talented Kelli O'Hara (Dracula & Light in the Piazza) as Amelia Earhart and Christian Borle (Thoroughly Modern Millie) was performed back in October though. Playbill.com says "perhaps Take Flight won't end up barnstorming Broadway after all, which would be a shame. Even so, this CD happily suggests that the composer and lyricist of Baby are in fine form and still very much in the game."