Just look outside your window and you'll find that spring has arrived (read: if you live in the Twin Cities). No shirtless men (read: boys) playing frisbee on the Macalester campus yet, and the trees are still without clothes, but nonetheless, it's time for a lighter music. The Massive Attack and Burial that got me through last week's somber slush have given way to the often melancholy but sometimes joyous synth pop sounds heard on the new ones by M83 (Saturdays=Youth) and Cut Copy (In Ghost Colours--Pitchfork-approved, for what it's worth). For all the nostalgic stylization, these albums are more about recalling the atmosphere of a bygone musical era, rather than straight-up appropriation of past styles. For those interested, Cut Copy will be at the 7th Street Entry early in May (with Black Kids opening, the real reason to attend), and M83 are dropping by the Triple Rock later in the month. Check it out:

[mp3] M83 - "Kim & Jessie"
[mp3] Cut Copy - "Feel the Love"