The Juan Maclean

Despite the title, the Juan MacLean's second album is firmly focused on the past, roping together elements of new wave, Italo disco, EBM and, most crucially, classic Chicago house. To that end, the chiming "Happy House" is a pitch-perfect pastiche of vintage garage (of the Paradise variety); what's more surprising are the echoes of synth-pop acts like the Human League, whose "Don't You Want Me" serves as a template for the he-said/she-said duet "One Day." Vocalist Nancy Whang plays a critical role throughout, topping MacLean's minimalist jams with practiced cool.