As per usual, lots of music came out in April, some of which was great and some of which was not. Here are four great ones.

Santogold — “I’m a Lady” (from Santogold)
This is not the best track off Santogold’s excellent self-titled debut (that honor would go to “Creator,” nor is it the most representative (”L.E.S. Artistes,” probably). It is, however, the most unexpectedly wonderful, its unabashedly catchy melody nearly impossible to not start humming along with, if not already singing at full volume. (MySpace)

 
The Roots — “I Can’t Help It” (from Rising Down)
Dark and pulsating, “I Can’t Help It” features some pretty badass drums and gutter bass, along with strong rhymes from Black Thought and Malik B. What makes this song so great, however, is the verse from Porn, which totally steals the show. His voice is nasally and his delivery is punctuated, which makes the lines “I never said I’m ready to die but I accept it/Never said I’m ready for war but I’m protected/I don’t even know when it’s coming but I expect it…Now I’m left with nervous conditions, addictions…One more reason to change identity” all the more powerful. (MySpace)
 
Portishead — “Machine Gun” (from Third)
If you’ve heard this song, then you already know why it made this list. If you haven’t heard this song, you need to. Now. (MySpace)
 
 
 
 
Jet Black Crayon — “8 Bad Years” (from In the Interim)
One of Tommy Guerrero’s many projects, Jet Black Crayon play ambient instrumental music that never sinks into lethargy, and “8 Bad Years” in particular is able to capture that space between reflection and unease. It’s a song that spreads out but still retains a tension that keeps you from settling down too far into it, the kind of thing you want to play again and again. (MySpace)