Layers of ghostly organs and twinkling electric guitars; delicate percussion; Victoria Legrand's spellbinding coo -- it's the unique sound of Baltimore duo Beach House, who blissfully pair Mazzy Star psychedelia with hints of 1950s girl-group pop, and it's rife on "Norway," a track from the band's Sub Pop debut, Teen Dream (out Jan. 26).

It's been three years since fire-breathing quartet Priestess released their last album, 2006's Hello Master. Now they're back, and if new track "Ladykiller" is any indication, the Montrealers want blood.

In a PR blitz to salvage his image, a "sorry and saddened" Chris Brown is giving TV interviews apologizing for his February assault on then-girlfriend Rihanna.

Oasis might be finished, but fans of epic Britpop need not fret. The earnest if slightly melancholy British arena pop of South London newcomers Animal Kingdom has the grandiose aspirations of Snow Patrol and Coldplay, tinged with the edgy swagger of '90s bands like Gay Dad and Mansun.

Steve Bays of Vancouver indie-dance act Hot Hot Heat is sorry and wants to make it up to you. "I would like to offer our most sincere apologies for taking so long to finish our most recent recording," he recently wrote on the band's website.

Bradford Cox is a restless artist. The breakout Atlanta native ceaselessly performs and writes and records woozy shoegaze and electronic music as both Deerhunter and Atlas Sound, and has collaborated with the likes of Stereolab, Animal Collective, and the Black Lips.