As the season heats up, you're going to need some cool tunes. Metro has your fix.
Who: U.K.-based pop rockers with a smart, punk edge.
What: The Monkeys survive the aftermath of the '00s back-to-the-garage movement with an album that has more pomp and stomp and '70s heavy rock shtick — but always with that sly, wry Arctic afternote.
Why buy: To contemplate the metaphorical implications of titles such as the Soundgardenesque "Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair." Heavy.
Who: The man who rivals Dylan for world's biggest road-hog title.
What: These live cuts date from a time when Young pissed off corporations (including his then-label) and went rogue, touring in 1984 and 1985 with this stellar country combo.
Why buy: Completist alert: Whether on CD, limited edition vinyl or the deluxe CD/Blu-ray package, "A Treasure" includes five previously unreleased songs.
Who: Miami rapper Armando Christian Perez nails vice-like rhymes into hit singles. You've heard him on tracks from T-Pain and the latest from Jennifer Lopez.
What: Pitbull's team on his sixth album reads like a block party A-list: Ne-Yo, Afrojack and Nayer join in on the first single, "Give Me Everything." T-Pain and Sean Paul add their two cents' worth later. Everyone hugs.
What: No overbearing over-souling; Carlton delivers her grrl-pop straight, candidly exploring the twists and simple turns of fate that any girl of any age can relate to.
Why buy: Sweet, easy-listening, non-bubblegum pop with lovely arrangements. Chill time.
What: Following the winter reissues of Queen's early '70s gems, round two re-ups world-dominating records from 1977 to '82.
Who: Stylish, Swedish boy-girl duo, David Lehnberg and Elin Lindfors make moody electronic pop.
What: Part one was a teasing EP's worth of spiraling folky electronic dream pop; this goes full-length before another EP, also due this summer, bookends the project. Possible electronic pop opera to follow?
Why buy: To cement the stereotype that all Scandinavians are smart and stylish. We're just jealous.