Not Myself Tonight by Christina Aguilera, streaming at christinaaguilera.com, from the forthcoming Bionic (RCA)
Did she just say "the old me's gone and I feel brand new, and if you don't like it, [too bad for]you"? Oh, girl! Rather unapologetically, the big-voiced soul shouter hits the dance floor, trying on big beats and an electro-buzzing grind for size. Is this club big enough for her and Lady Gaga too?
The Diary of Amy Briggs by Miss Emily Brown, streaming at myspace.com/missemilybrown, from In Technicolor (independent)
"I never swore until this goddamned war/ Twelve-hour shifts and sirens all night long." Inspired by diary entries from a Second World War nurse, a gal's innocence is just another casualty. War is hell, but this autoharp-and-fiddle lament is sung heavenly.
Stitch in Time by the Smashing Pumpkins, streaming at smashingpumpkins.com, from the forthcoming Teargarden by Kaleidyscope, Vol. 1: Songs for a Sailor (Martha's Music/Rocket Science Ventures)
All sparkly psychedelic-folk and peppermint-scented unicorns. Another free track from Billy Corgan, who, it appears, likes to sit cross-legged on Persian rugs, stroke his acoustic guitar, and wait patiently for his guru beard to grow in.
Bhang Bhang, I'm a Burnout by Dum Dum Girls, from I Will Be (Sub Pop)
These blissed-and-buzzing Californians might spell the Bhangles like that. Image Grace Slick posing stoned questions - "In your head, are you dead?" - to an awe-struck sixties girl group.