What are a pair of diminutive popstrels who aren't Kylie Minogue supposed to do as the pioneering priestesses of a new indie pop movement in order to keep their names from sinking underneath the maddening weight of the Boyles and Lamberts of this good galaxy? They could hawk Toblerones. But gut instinct tells me that they've grown accustomed to street cred and sell-out shows at Webster Hall and wouldn't compromise that for all the delicious nougat-filled Swiss chocolate in the world. A-ha! Maybe they can exchange snappy ditties.

Look, I know she's Madonna and all, but even that doesn't give the once-resolute queen of pop carte blanche to harangue her supporting acts -- especially if they come in the form of feisty pop tart Robyn, who appears to carry far more street cred and populist cachet. And although it's only six days into the Sticky & Sweet Tour, Robyn has already been barred from approaching the material girl woman. But instead of going all cobrastyle on the diva, Robyn shrugged it off, telling some Swedish press, "It's strange that they assume that the first thing you're gonna do is run after Madonna and ask for an autograph." But maybe Madonna's just warding off the chance of another awkward situation.

When Swedish comeback kid Robyn was in Texas to play SXSW this past month, she refused to limit herself to Perez Hilton’s soiree. Here’s a clip of Robyn singing “Bum Like You” to some heartland-folk, in a country music bar in Granger, Texas. You'd almost expect a Boratian backlash—but no. The cowboys and their gals seem to enjoy Robyn’s jaunty electro hooks, and Robyn is clearly having a ball away from her usual audience of, well, young people.

Scarlett Johansson
Anywhere I Lay My Head (ATCO)

We know what you are thinking: Don Johnson, Heartbeat. But you are wrong, oh, so wrong. Scarlett Johansson’s first album, Anywhere I Lay My Head, is one of the happiest surprises in years. On this inspired collection of Tom Waits covers, Johansson’s famously oak-smoked voice is a natural cousin of the Roches, John Cale, and Sinead O’Connor. David Bowie, who sings backup on two tracks—“Falling Down” and “Fannin Street”—adds splashes of cream to this perfect cup of hot, dark New Orleans coffee. —Alison Powell