Ida Maria

Fortress Round My Heart (SONY BMG)

Who doesn’t love Norwegian pop music? The newest Scandinavian import is Ida Maria (pronounced eee-da), whose debut album “Fortress Round My Heart” has recently been dubbed The Next Big Thing. Think the angst of Lily Allen, saucy, sexy song titles a la Katy Perry (Maria’s hit single is titled “I Like You So Much Better When You’re Naked”) mixed in with Scandinavian charm, fun lyrics and powerful vocals. Feel-good girl music? Yeah, so what if it is.
-Chloe Popescu

The Breeders

Fate to Fatal EP (SELF-RELEASED)

The holy trinity of Kim Deal: guitar, vocals, structural nuance. It’s a format from which she never deviates and with good reason, as her sense of sonic depth retains its elegance on this recent EP. The third track, “Chances Are,” transforms the original Bob Marley song, stripping down vocal excess for a quiet, heavier feel. “Fate to Fatal” presents four songs that remind us why we loved Kim Deal in the Pixies, and why 20-some years later she remains a force to be reckoned with in American alt rock. That is, she’s deliberate in everything and it’s a beautiful thing.
-Amanda Pacitti

Hannah Montana: The Movie

Dir. Peter Chelsom (WALT DISNEY PICTURES)

Melora Hardin, aka Jan from NBC’s hit situational comedy “The Office,” plays Billy Ray Cyrus’ love interest. The movie is as good as her Southern accent. Look out for an uncredited Ben Stiller look-alike in Taylor Swift’s band!
-Ani Mamourian