Five Albums You Should Be Listening to Right Now

This week's curator: Whitney Matheson, editor of Pop Candy. 

Every two weeks, titans of the mediasphere give Hooksexup their music recommendations. This week: Pop Candy's Whitney Matheson.

A few years ago, I learned to stop asking musicians this classic question: "What was the last album you purchased?" Artists — at least the younger ones — didn't listen to lots of records, I realized. However, they did download songs. I could relate. Below are five albums I truly recommend from start to finish. Considering how short our album attention spans have grown, this is an extra-special list.

1. The Mynabirds, What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood

Laura Burhenn's smoky and seductive delivery pairs well with these final, horribly humid days of summer. This might be as close to a new Dusty Springfield record as we're gonna get. I'll take it with pleasure and a frosty mint julep.

2. Clubfeet, Gold on Gold

Let's get the Heathers reference out of the way: This Australian band boasts a song called — yes, really — "Teenage Suicide (Don't Do It)." Unlike the track in the '80s movie, though, this cheery dance number is honest-to-goddess good. Clubfeet lives up to its name with upbeat electronic sounds that propel you out of your desk chair and perpetual brain fog.

3. Wild Nothing, Gemini

Is everyone recommending this band? Probably, but there's a reason for it. In a year of stellar releases, Gemini is a cut above the rest. Call me a sucker for shimmering summer make-out music. Call me beholden to bands that still produce albums, rather than singles. Wild Nothing may sound small at first, but after a couple songs they'll become your favorite new band.

4. The Like, Release Me

Tired of watching old Lesley Gore videos on YouTube? (You shouldn't be — she is magic!) Los Angeles' The Like embraces everything about '60s girl groups, from mod outfits to golden sing-along harmonies. The fun doesn't stop there, though: The Like has an appealing, sexy edge that can be heard on tracks like "Wishing He Was Dead." Perhaps these women should consider changing their name to The Lurve instead... because that's how I feel about them. Aww.

5. The Cure, Disintegration (reissue)

I had to throw in something from my inner teen goth gal... and what's better than this reissue of the band's 1989 classic? The set comes with remastered tracks, bonus material, and an '89 concert recording. In other words, it's just like heav — oh, wait. Wrong album.