do you think the girls here ever wondered how they got so pretty

The New Pornographers' Challengers has quickly become the soundtrack to my summer. If you haven't heard it, here are some samples.

Myriad Harbour
If your name was Reid, which it isn't, I'd say this song has all the hallmarks of seeming to be made specifically for you. Then you'd ask me what those hallmarks are, and I'd say I couldn't explain it exactly, but it would have something to do playful lyrics and melodies, bouncy rhythms, and big, rocking choruses.

Go Places
The latest Song I Can't Get Enough Of^TM. The sweet spot of the song and the most beautiful moment of the whole album begins at the 2:55 mark. It's that lovely and simple device of briefly changing up an oft-repeated melody line, and it melts me each time I hear it. You'd probably like that part too if your initials were JRD, but they're not.