Charli XCX + SOPHIE: Vroom Vroom

Singer-songwriter Charli XCX and divergent sound designer SOPHIE—each compelling in their own unique brand of pop—bring out the best in each other in the four-track EP Vroom Vroom, one that provokes all of the senses and hits listeners like a steamroller. The title song “Vroom Vroom” gets the music video treatment, and through a mostly black-and-white lenses, it shines and sweats and glares and squeaks …

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Carly Rae Jepsen's girl gang snubs boy problems, bizarre J-pop trio Babymetal, prog rockers Purson and more in this week's new music

Carly Rae Jepsen: Boy Problems Every track on Carly Rae Jepsen’s powerhouse 2015 album E•MO•TION (it only gets better with time) has its own unique personality, and “Boy Problems” has been an especially addictive standout with CRJ’s voice gliding up and down like a synth. The song about not ruining relationships with your friends now gets a music video, directed by photographer and feminist Petra …

Lawrence: Superficial

NYC-based band Lawrence, helmed by siblings Clyde and Gracie Lawrence and backed up by a talented slew of musicians (including a three-piece horn section), are driving to Austin this very moment to perform over the next three days at SXSW, before continuing on to the West Coast. For those missing out, their debut album Breakfast will keep those pop, soul and funk cravings satiated. “Superficial” …