By Paul V.

Singled Out

Rihanna -- Pon De Replay -- Def Jam

What do get when you throw a bubbly, gorgeous, 17-year-old Barbados native behind the mic -- with some protégé guidance from Mr. Jay-Z? Nothing less than this summer's most rousing, most poppin', can't-sit-down dancehall riddim. Every DJ turned this one way up on the dance floor.

Death Cab For Cutie -- Plans -- Atlantic

It might not have taken watching The O.C. to figure out you loved Death Cab For Cutie, but it's surely the catalyst that helped this fan-darling band get their terrific songs heard by the masses. The group's latest album (and major-label debut) has all the plot twists you'd expect in an action-packed, hour-long TV drama, complete with sorrow, euphoria and hours of personal reflection. At this stage in their career, themes dealing with the reality of death feel very prevalent. "What Sarah Said" and "I'll Follow You Into The Dark" examine how relationships are altered by that kind of loss, and on the sweetly infectious first single, "Soul Meets Body," singer Ben Gibbons' evocative, lovelorn, complete-sentence lyrical style nearly begs for a personal utopia where the spirit and flesh live harmoniously. While the production is a bit slicker and Plans is a bit ballad-heavy, DCFC sound energized, yet comfortable in their own skin. They didn't repeat their last record, but they also didn't spit in its face in the name of change. From the enchanting opening moments of "Marching Bands of Manhattan" to the closing strands of "Stable Song" (a retooling from their Stability EP), this is a hard to resist musical pleasure. However, you can just hear the indie purists cringing, ready to burn Death Cab For Cutie at the stake for signing with a big, bad major label like Atlantic. Screw 'em -- this is a solid, non sell-out effort.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club -- Howl -- RCA

Once known for amping up the feedback and drenching their tracks in hum and fuzz, SF's Black Rebel Motorcycle drop their third disc on a brand new label, with a seemingly brand new -- and probably confounding to some -- sound. Howl is practically an acoustic record, with the squelching guitars replaced by melodic and at times heavenly harmonicas and hazy guitar strumming. From its Allen Ginsberg title and black-and-white photos adorning the cover, to the retro-inspired "classic album" graphics on the back, BRMC now feel perched on Dylan's doorstep, rather than riding sidecar in the Jesus & Mary Chain's motorcycle brigade. And like the White Stripes, maybe it was time to stretch out and defy expectation by exploring some Americana blues and roots? The jam session that begins with "Shuffle Your Feet" sets the tone for a collection that hushes through beatnik conscience ("Howl"), snaky, waltzing blues ("Ain't No Easy Way"), piano balladry ("Promise"), Ziggy Stardust glam ("Sympathetic Noose"), and truly expansive drone-rock (the eight-minute plus closer, "The Line"). Another welcome twist is hearing the strength -- yet tender lament -- in singer Peter Hayes' vocals. In some ways, these are actually the same kind of songs Black Rebel Motorcycle Club have always owned, except the emotions aren't hidden behind My Bloody Valentine-esque walls of armor. And with ear-pleasing melodies on tracks like "Weight Of The World" or "Gospel Song," maybe this will be their true breakthrough effort?

OK Go -- Oh No -- Capitol

The Chicago quartet's second album doesn't waver very far from its sugarcoated 2002 self-titled debut; so if you liked that one, look for more of the same, as OK Go's songs continue to be quick, tightly wound and hook-heavy. The guitars are still garage-rock ragged, there are still plenty of keyboard flourishes, and singer Damian Kulash's rock-star vocal delivery has grown a tad gruffer this time around. With nods to plenty o' poprock maestros of the past and present, OK Go seem intent on displaying their school of rock diplomas from start to finish. But damn if these hooks don't grab you before you can barely exhale. There's more than a few radio-ready hits here: The Pixies meets The Kinks jangle of "No Sign Of Life"; the Weezerisms of opening cut "Invincible;" the good times a'rollin' handclaps of "A Good Idea At The Time; and the falsetto fayness of "Oh Lately It's So Quiet." Kulash's knack of crafty and sometimes comical wordplay sits nicely with the band's slick popisms, and you find yourself humming along on more than one occasion. Tore Johansson's production helps put them close in sound to his most famous work -- Franz Ferdinand's debut. With 13 tracks barely hitting the three-minute mark, OK Go deliver a solid sophomore set worthy of licks by Hot Hot Heat, The Cars, Cheap Trick or even Bloc Party. So OK, go buy it and check it out for yourself.

Catch Paul V. spinning tunes in Silver Lake: "MegaMonday" at MJ's, Dragstrip 66 (second Saturday each month at 1160 Vermont Avenue), Spit (third Saturday each month at Faultline), and "Milkshake" Thursday nights at MJ's. Tune in for his "Smash Mix" on Indie 103.1 FM on Fridays at 5:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.dragstrip66.com