Santogold - 'Lights Out'
Dear fellow KESC/WAPDA sufferers, we have the perfect song for the summer: 'Lights Out' by Santogold! This song by Santogold (the alias singer Santi White uses) is brilliant to listen to while you stare at the candlelight and make calls to the utility company. This indie pop song, with Santi's brilliant voice and the soft chorus is a must listen to song, and the lyrics are so incredibly apt for those suffering from power woes, even though they can be construed in a million more obvious ways: 'Lights out, shoot up the station / TV's dead where's there to run? / Watch everybody come undone (Lights out).' The guitars and drums fade in the background to Santi's soothing voice. The kitschy video for the song is also a must watch (the psychedelic patterns in the background reflect in the sunglasses of the extras, and their lip colors) In any case, Santogold was termed one of the much-watch artists for 2008 by BBC and Rolling Stone, and this track easily proves why. 'Lights Out' - a must download, especially before the lights do go out!

The Fashion - 'Like Knives'
The Fashion's 'Like Knives' is not a song for the faint hearted. In one sentence, and as described by eardrumsmusic.com, the song is 'tailor made for the dance floor and rock clubs'. That may be a conflicting statement, but this song truly is exactly that! Edgy drums, excellent guitar riffs and an angry voice belting out the edgier lyrics: 'Go get your guns and your switchblade knives and cut it up / And kill the ones who speak if they speak of us cause they'll never really tame us.' In another contrast, the chorus is incredibly addictive: 'you're so outta control / be more in control' - which is truly perfect for the dance floor or the perfect addition to an angst-ridden playlist. This band from Denmark is the perfect answer to the question: what is alternative rock? One foresees great music from them in the future, and hopes someone in Pakistan makes a song like this that you can listen to anywhere, anytime, for any mood. For the time being, download The Fashion's 'Like Knives', but don't take it too literally!

Adele - 'Daydreamer'
Adele's 'Daydreamer' is a classically soulful love song. Her music is hauntingly beautiful, and 'Daydreamer' is in the same vein. This song talks about a 'daydreamer' boy - who is perfect on paper! Adele croons, 'He would be hard to chase but good to catch / and he could change the world with his hands behind his back.' Adele's voice is enough to make one believe in fairytales such as this perfect daydreamer boy, but the acoustic guitar adds on to the charm of the song. The woman is an Aretha Franklin in the making (even if the press is touting her as a 'new Amy Winehouse'). 'Daydreamer', according to Adele, is "about this boy I was in love with, like proper in love with. He was bi and I couldn't deal with that. All the things I wanted from my boyfriend, he was never going to be. I get really jealous anyway, so I couldn't fight with girls and boys." The British singer describes her music style as 'heartbroken soul', and it's really enough to make one cry and smile at the same time. Daydream away with this track!

Phoenix - 'If I Ever Feel Better'
Phoenix's 'If I Ever Feel Better' is a great gem to download - this number is very catchy and instantly gets you tapping your feet along. The song talks about the classic line we've all heard: 'I'm not going through a good time right now, but I'll call you when I've sorted my issues out' - the singer croons 'If I ever feel better, remind me to spend some good time with you / You can give me your number, when its all over I'll let you know'. The electronic feel and indie pop combination with the rhyming lyrics is a charm to listen to. The lead singer, Thomas Mars - has a beautiful voice, and for proof: he also did the vocals on the gorgeous Air track 'Playground love' from The Virgin Suicides soundtrack. 'If I Ever Feel Better' should strike a chord with anyone who's been fobbed off with that cliché and particularly with the boys who use this line all the time! This bouncy yet mellow number is the best pick to chase morning blues away, or while exercising or even to dance along to, and comes from the land of beautiful people, fashion and gorgeous sights: France!

Kevin Rudolf feat. Lil Wayne - 'Let it Rock'
Kevin Rudolf collaborates with rapper Lil Wayne on this infectious song and this is yet another great track that's being picked up by TV shows. The song was featured on the soundtrack for the 90210 series revival (download the show while you're at it). 'Let it Rock' has a rock meets rap feel and has excellent production - which makes sense since Kevin Rudolf has been involved on that end in the past, as well as an electric guitarist.

'Let it Rock' packs a punch - and true to its name, it makes you want to air guitar along to it and join in the chanting chorus as it yells 'let it rock'. The lyrics are not as powerful as good rock music, or as insightful as rap music can often be, but are catchy enough to make it a great song for the summer 'I see your dirty face, high behind your collar / what is done in vain, truth is hard to swallow / so you pray to God to justify the way you live a lie, live a lie, live a lie!' Crank it up on your stereo - but only if you have soundproofing.

-- Saba Imtiaz