The Atlanta-Athens corridor is a two-way musical train-track overloaded with talented cargo. Last month, The District Attorneys, a five-piece, hopped aboard with their full-length debut Slowburner. The DA’s, like their new record, embody what makes my beloved South so great—they are simple yet sophisticated, soulful yet rough-hewn. With that subtle sentimentality a la Alex Chilton and Big Star, but with a little more Stones-esque rock ‘n’ roll get-up and a splash of Yim Yames’ psychedelia, I think The District Attorneys are on their way to big things. But for now, Slowburner, with its foot-tapping “our-sound-in-a-nutshell” opening title track, plus reverb-ladened gems like “California Fire” and “Cherry Glow,” has plenty for listeners to enjoy. Check out the tracks below, and hop on over here to procure the whole album if you feel so inclined.

STREAM: The District Attorneys – “Madison Row”

STREAM: The District Attorneys – “Cherry Glow”

ATG’s favorite tribal-poppers Reptar have a must-see new video, fresh on the heels of their excellent debut release Body Faucet. “Three Shining Suns” is a slow and sparse but incredibly soulful and funky number; the track’s rich tone and sprightly bounce of keys combine perfectly with the drum-circle-like percussion. It’s proof that Reptar have found yet another recipe for sonic success. These guys are good.

We already knew these cats were capable of near-magic with their instruments. But this video suggests that they are actual shamans—makes sense—with the ability to resurrect the dead and concoct awesome fireworks from the materials of the forest. Just watch.

Ever since the Southern California-duo TV Girl released the mouthwatering, Tod Rundgren-sampling indie-pop gem “If You Want It” in 2010, I’ve been salivating for more. Now I’ve got it. Mixing one part Beach Boys bubblegum guitar pop and one healthy dose of hip hop back beats, all splashed with a more modern electronic dream-pop veneer (reminiscent of Neon Indian or Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.), the recipe is smooth and delightful. Even when the lyrics are pensive or regretful, the sound is always as bright and funky as the colors of a San Diego sunset. Their newest release “I Wonder Who She’s Kissing Now” is no different. Enjoy the band’s playfully bloody and lovesick video above. But kids, do not try this at home.

After a string of short EP’s and 7 inches, TV Girls is finally due to release a full debut LP called The Wild, The Innocent, The TV Shuffle. It will be available as a free download on May 4th on Das Racist’s Greedhead label.

MP3: TV Girl – “I Wonder Who She’s Kissing Now”

The London electro-pop five-piece Hot Chip is back with a new single, and fans are rejoicing. Yes, boys and girls, get your platform shoes ready because the group’s latest release “Night and Day” is funkier than ever. A bouncy Jock-Jams-esque bass-line—one that would be equally comfortable as the theme music to Contra or Battle Toads—is paired with a mid-tempo beat to function as the backbone of this eerie experiment in early house music. It hits slowly, but surely. Indeed, this disco-joint is as smooth and sexy as it is spooky and serious, so bring your A-game to the dance floor. And also, enjoy.

STREAM: Hot Chip – “Night and Day”

The Black Lips want their fans on the dance floor, pronto. The B-side to their newest single, “Dance With You,” proclaims it so. But these rockers don’t exactly provide the sonic backdrop conducive to twists, turns, and shimmies. Nope. Head-banging, sporadic fits, kinetic freak-outs, guitar-smashing, and the gator dance would be more appropriate for this brooding, thrashing psych rock number. A bass line fit for a 1950s television series private eye serves as the canvas for the group’s signature sloppy, scuzzy garage rock glory. Enjoy.

MP3: Black Lips – “Dance With You”

Quirky Spanish disco-pop? Videos with partial nudity, awkward dancing, tuxedos, and grooving skeletons (a la Daft Punk)? Indeed, these are the many delights that Bigott and his newest single “Cannibal Dinner” deliver to his fans and followers, of which there are now many more since his impressive debut at SXSW 2012.  If you’re ready to hop on the euro-dance train, grab your spandex and let’s go. There are plenty of synthesizers and sequins to go around.

STREAM: Bigott – “Cannibal Dinner”

Count on a band named after a fictional cartoon dinosaur to title a song “Orifice Origami.” Fittingly, it’s the first single off the equally-ridiculously-named album Body Faucet. Conjure any strange and disturbing mental images?

But as you all know by now, this is all par for the course for our friends Reptar; they can truly do no wrong. This track is just another example. A funky intro that sounds like Donald Duck swallowed a bassoon quickly transitions into their patented brand of unabashed-fun and buoyant electro-rock—chock full of chiming, overlapping keyboards, knee-knocking percussion, hip-swerving bass-slapping, dynamic, energetic vocals, and just the right amount of hand clapping. This is my jam. It can be yours too. Stream it below or download it on their Facebook page.

STREAM: Reptar – “Orifice Origami”

It has been over three years since they released the stellar Post-Nothing, but the Canadian noise-rock duo Japandroids are finally back, out of the studio and gearing up for the release of their second LP Celebration Rock, due out in June. By the sounds of the first single, “The House That Heaven Built,” the rockers haven’t lost any of their sloppy garage spunk or to-the-point pop song craftsmanship. With some crowd chants thrown in alongside a heavily-thrashed drum kit and the usual drone of guitar, it seems the pair are ready to rouse some crowds into raucous rebellion on tour this spring and summer. But you don’t have to wait for the mosh pit; jump around to this track immediately.

STREAM: Japandroids – “The House That Heaven Built”

Some had surmised that Boy Crisis had folded it up and gone underground. Some guessed that they descended back to the primordial-funk-ooze beneath Studio 54 where they were apparently spawned. But a new video (of an old song) recently emerged from cyber-space indicating that, just maybe, Boy Crisis lives! Let’s hope so. The world needs this druggy, love-soaked funk-pop more than ever. So if you’re feeling down and out, “L’Homme” has the synth blasts, disco beats, and pop bombast you need. Above is your remedy. You can grab an exclusive download of the track over at RCRD LBL.

DOWNLOAD: Boy Crisis – “L’Homme” [via RCRD LBL]

The Fleet Foxes were a breath of fresh West Coast air when they burst on the scene several years ago. But since then, I’ve found the Northwest’s consistently sappy, jug-band-nostalgia to be a bit underwhelming, to put it politely. Thankfully there’s a fresh breeze blowing through alt-country-USA these days, and it’s a cool, crisp, sobering one blowing down from Canada — a Northern air, if you will. Elliott Brood, hailing from Toronto and tirelessly touring the States as of late, are bringing an unadorned revivalist-rock sound back to the pop world. Like Neil Young, the desert island pick we share, these rough-neck pickers offer a range of emotions via a simple and straight forward approach: less is more. At once full-bodied and sparse, there is no postering here. Please give these Canadian crooners a listen. The band is playing DC9 on Thursday with blues-rockers The Pack A.D., and tickets are still available here.

STREAM: Elliott Brood – “Northern Air”