twenty | one | pilots: “Holding Onto You”: The first single off of Vessel (album cover above) is probably already familiar to a lot of fans of the band, but this is a reworked (read: better) version of the sound. Harmonies are brought out a bit more, drums sound real this time (because they are), and as usual the cry of “entertain my faith!” in the bridge creates a fun crescendo that climaxes in Tyler Joseph’s adept Eminem-esque rapping. This better be huge at radio or I don’t know what I’ll do.

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtmVKxHcMRQ]

Tegan and Sara – “I’m Not Your Hero”: With vocals that sound like a more feminized version of Brian Aubert of Silversun Pickups, the alt duo is back with this huge single. This ought to fit well on any playlist among their contemporaries, such as Metric and the aforementioned Silversun Pickups. A simple drum beat drives the song, and the Metric influence really pops out toward the spacey end of it.

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSGbOmW4AjI]

Local Natives – “Breakers”: After a long break, the guys are back with “Breakers,” given the title of “best new music” on the esteemed Pitchfork webzine, and with good reason. Retro guitar riffs balance modern synth (neither the first things that come to mind when thinking of this band) while maintaining the jam-rock sound with a little bit of something else that we all love. “Sun Hands” is still their strongest song in my head, but this could change…

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OGw6SwDveQ]