New Good Song: "Heads Or Tails," The Runaway Club 9.13.14

Here's a new good song: "Heads Or Tails" by The Runaway Club. Earlier this year, The Runaway Club had a new good song called "Runaway," which was a somewhat nearsighted title given that it makes the song practically un-Googleable. But they do a nice job of non-ironic unabashedly '80s pop, and "Heads Or Tails" is a fine example, complete with extended sax solos. The nearly 1-minute-long sports intro is an OK feature the first time you sit through it, although when this is on your current playlist, you quickly grow tired of hearing it dozens of times.

New Good Song: "Classic," The Knocks f/ Powers 9.13.14

Here's a new good song: "Classic" by The Knocks f/ Powers, not to be confused with "Classic" by MKTO, which is a cute song if you are 9. This "Classic" is better. A nice dessert of a song, nothing revolutionary, but hard to deny the pleasant impact of the melody and production. Not every song needs to reinvent the wheel. The piano (and to some extent the female vocals) remind me of "Steal My Sunshine" by Len.

New Good Song: "Green Garden," Laura Mvula w/ Metropole Orkest 9.13.14

Here's a new good song: "Green Garden" by Laura Mvula w/ Metropole Orkest. "Green Garden" is a 2013 song from the album "Sing To The Moon," and this version is from a new re-recording of that album in collaboration with Metropole Orkest, a 52-piece Netherlands pop/jazz orchestra. This is not easy to find online right now; visit iTunes if the link below does not work for you.

New Good Song: "Remember The Love," Catherine Scholz f/ Gordon Hellegers 9.13.14

Here's a new good song: "Remember The Love" by Catherine Scholz f/ Gordon Hellegers. This appears to be a warmer, richer re-orchestration of Scholz's 2008 song "Just Not Like Her," with Hellegers playing what sounds like a harp but is, at it turns out, a kora, which is a 21-string West African instrument that's basically a miniature harp in the shape of a lute. The transformation from an acoustic coffeehouse tune to this world music production is refreshing. Scholz appears to be quite talented. She should consider a more sophisticated graphic treatment on her cover to match the sophisticated production of this track.

New Good Song: "Run-Time," Imogen Heap 9.13.14

Here's a new good song: "Run-Time" by Imogen Heap. I was quite a fan of "You Know Where To Find Me" last year. That was a dramatic ballad. This is a much peppier up-tempo song, although the subject matter is not particularly peppy -- arguing for a clean breakup. Feels like there are hints of La Roux in here as well.

New Good Song: "Only Love Can Hurt Like This," Paloma Faith 9.13.14

Here's a new good song: "Only Love Can Hurt Like This" by Paloma Faith. At first I wasn't particularly taken with this song, given its rather unoriginal chord progression and slight Adele ripoff quality. But upon repeated listens it's become among my current favorites. The vocals and lyrics here work so well together; it feels soulful in a genuine way. And the melody beckons one to sing along in the car (until the dramatic leap to a higher octave, which few could follow along with).

New Good Song: "Shiver," Avec Sans 9.13.14

Here's a new good song: "Shiver" by Avec Sans. Retro pop sounds (and video) and an especially great bridge.

New Good Song: "Mother & Father," Broods 9.13.14

Here's a new good song: "Mother & Father" by Broods. Over a catch beat with a smooth bed of synths, this tune is a melancholy ode to dependence. Great verses here. So great that the song would be better if they were longer and the chorus were shorter. But here it is.