Music

Go by Jónsi — Out Tuesday, the first solo album from Sigur Rós’s gay front man is an up-tempo departure from his band’s atmospheric style. This prolific Icelandic chef, writer, and artist is a modern-day Renaissance man; click here to read more about him.

Oyo by Angelique Kidjo — This Benin-born diva describes her latest album as “the story of my childhood.” Singing songs that inspired her, Kidjo takes on music by James Brown, Curtis Mayfield, and Aretha Franklin. Out Tuesday.

"Nothing" by Janet Jackson — Even though radio is reluctant to play Janet's singles anymore, it doesn't mean they're not great listens ("Make Me" from her recent greatest hits set deserved to be a hit in its own right). The ballad "Nothing" — the theme song to her new movie, Why Did I Get Married Too? — is a nice departure from her usual dance-stompers, and she sounds a bit like Michael on it, which isn't a bad thing.

"Acapella"
by Kelis — The kooky Kelis is back with this single (her album Flesh
Tone drops this summer) and just-released video that highlights the
pop star's out-there fashion sense. The tune, produced by dance king
David Guetta, is thrilling drum-and-bass techno about an unlikely
subject: her son, Knight.