Annie, “Back Together”
Startlingly, it’s been almost a decade since Norwegian pop singer Annie released her flawless single (and Royksopp co-write) “Heartbeat,” but she’s back in business and really letting her sense of humor come through on this new, very true-to-form EP (one of her new songs is called “Ralph Macchio,” as in the Karate Kid). Her video for “Back Together” is worth a watch even if sugary dance tracks aren’t your jam: it’s an early-90’s throwback to music video countdown shows, in which Annie comes out on top over a list of contenders that include “Deejay Jesu” with his hit single “This Ol’ House,” “Utrecht Amiga Squad” with the classic chart-topper “Punishment Dance,” and my favorite, “Mannie.”
And the dancing. The dancing.
Other new stuff: the video for Wise Blood’s “Alarm,” this ambitious, lovely, weird noise-pop track that I sometimes play for two hours straight, and this very Destiny’s Child-esque collaboration between Mad Decent singer Liz and reliably delightful producer Ryan Hemsworth, called “Day ‘N Nite.”