‘Girl Talk’ Kate Nash

It must be tough enough going through your 20s without worrying whether the pop machinery that built you up at age 20 has spit you out completely.

Seems that way for Kate Nash, one of a number of strong young British artists to emerge in the last decade and a writer with sass, who now sings lines like “I’m a waste of space.” Courtney Love’s grungy rock provides the musical blueprint for “Girl Talk,” and a fresh romantic breakup gives Nash material to mine in her third album.

– David Bauder, Associated Press

‘Red Light District EP’ Midi Matilda

San Francisco-based electro pop duo Midi Matilda pulls the rug out from under your feet with their six-track debut EP, “Red Light District.” Having joined forces just a year ago, with names like Logan Grime and Skyler Kilborn, they couldn’t have been anything other than a pair of poets in disguise as musicians. Their peppy sound strides the line between modern pop and homage 1980s with aplomb.

“Day Dreams” transports you to a wistful day of reverie and “Love and the Movies” veers into a strange time-bending territory where you feel you’ve heard bits and pieces of the synth, yet you’re dislocated into the unknown.

– Cristina Jaleru, Associated Press