Lal Meri

Lal Meri's debut transcends what could have been a tired sound (global-inflected trip-hop) with edgy lyrics and solid melodies. The group's secret weapon is singer Nancy Kaye, whose subtle, jazzy pipes sound as convincingly heartless on "Bad Things" as they do genuinely besotted on "Sweet Love." But when you get over her evident charms, there's still more to like -- particularly the group's use of oud, tabla, santir and Hindi singing, which, rather than just window-dressing, actually become integral to the sound. A lot of bands have tried to make this album; Lal Meri actually succeeded.