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From its name to its stripped-down acoustic Americana, the L.A.-based duo Chris & Thomas revels in straightforward simplicity. But make no mistake: There's nothing easy about writing songs as purely infectious as "Take These Thoughts."

As dark as it gets, "Skinny Love," with its unforgettable steel-guitar hook, is too gorgeous to function as a true downer. Shout-along fodder for melancholy late-night drives, it announces Bon Iver as a budding powerhouse, not so much promising as fully formed.

This week's essential listening includes joyful rock from Joanna Gruesome, a mansion of curious sounds from Eskmo, an incredible mix of cultures and sounds in Young Fathers and more.

Hear five pioneering examples of women who composed for and directed their own groups.

The original man in black: Johnny Cash; alt-Country from Uncle Tupelo; the wait is over for new Wilco; Muswell Hillbilly and The Kinks, and more.

"Cornettology" slyly alludes to several of Coleman's compositions without quoting them outright.

Earle's "Look the Other Way" is a funky evocation of misery — blues for driving with the top down.

Thao Nguyen of Thao & The Get Down Stay Down wants you to know she really doesn't care what critics say about her music. But in a new video to promote her band's latest album, We The Common, the singer decides that one writer has gone too far.

David Broza's specialty is turning poems into songs. Townes Van Zandt, the great Texas songwriter, left Broza some of his unpublished poetry, and the Israeli born singer worked them into songs. On Mountain Stage, Broza plays songs from Night Dawn: The Unpublished Poetry of Townes Van Zandt.

As sweet strings, handclaps and a well-placed mandolin propel "Rio" along, Hey Marseilles singer Matthew Bishop dispenses an endearing ode to world travel, adventure and the promise of faraway places.