Single Selections: Shakira

Shakira - Loca (feat. Dizzee Rascal) 3/5

Myspace

Shakira moves beyond She Wolf, with 'Loca', a salsa infused hip shaker featuring a bold choice in MC Dizzee Rascal, a welcome change from atypical American rappers. 'My Hips Don't Lie' it is not, but it is catchy, latin dance-pop, and that's rarely a bad thing.

Rae Spoon - We Can't Be Lovers With These Guns On Each Other 3.5/5

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Calgary's Rae Spoon can be found climbing CBC Radio 3's top 30, with thumping drums and subtle electronic elements, this garage rock track is heavy on a hooky chorus. It's only a matter of time before Grey's Anatomy and every other television series are picking apart Spoon's latest disc, Love Is A Hunter for gems like this.

Rihanna - Only Girl (In The World) 4.5/5

Leaked

Ditching Jay-Z for Euro glam, Rihanna makes a comeback of sorts, though she never really left it's a return to Good Girl Gone Bad form. Rihanna seems to have switched to an Ace of Base heavy dance-pop diet, guaranteed to be rocking dancefloors from Bangkok to Halifax to Milan, it's a transcontinental hit. Period.

Sky Ferreira - Obsession 1/5

Myspace

While her European single 'One' is quirky enough to capture our curiousity, Ferreira's North American single 'Obsession' plays to the lowest common denominator... forgettable... you're really not missing much.

Ruby Coast - Creep Me Out 4/5

Myspace

The playful, jangly indie pop tune is a short and sweet hand-clapper that's instantly charming. Put on your dancing shoes for a bit of crazy fun, it's a welcome return of the Aurora natives.

Single Selections: Rah Rah

Rah Rah - Arrows 3.5/5

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The pop-rock collective's lead-off single from their sophomore effort, Breaking Hearts, "Arrows" is a reminder of the band's magnitude. Thumping beats, clashing cymbals and pure energy, it's no wonder "Arrows" is finding love on CBC Radio 3's Top 30.

Shad - Yaa I Get It 5/5

Myspace

Hailing from London, Ontario, Shad is arguably one of the best hip-hop artists ever to hail from Canada. "Genetic freak, poetically".... we agree, Shad spits rhymes like the best in hip-hop. Yaa we get it, Kanye and Common take notice.

A B & The Sea - Suzie 3/5

Myspace

The San Francisco by way of Wisconsin trio, find sun, sand and a carefree vibe on their single, Suzie from the Boys & Girls EP. It's a retro pop tune that's fun and breezy. Beach Boys they are not but everyone enjoys a good hand clap now and then.

First Rate People - Gentlemen's Club 4/5

Myspace

Owen Sound's First Rate People, live up to their name with the lush, sweet harmonies, and foot taping beat of "Gentleman's Club". It's alt-pop candy that's sultry and addictive, you'll be left wanting more.

KT Tunstall - Push That Knot Away 3.5/5

Youtube

Released as a Youtube clip, the Scottish singer/songwriter takes on a booming beat, an edgier rock sound and electronic elements in her departure from her coffee house sound. It's got energy, a bit of brass, and a sweet bass solo, plus Tunstall's echoing vocals, not her best but we're not complaining.