Joseph Arthur's new single "Enough to Get Away" (Lonely Astronaut) is a charming bit of escapism, the sonic equivalent of hustling away from the city toward a carefree paradise of sun-kissed simplicity. Pretty loops float over the jangling guitars and Arthur's jaded but hopeful vocals, leading to a flash of serenity that makes you keep replaying the song to snag that fleeting moment again. Beck's new single "Nausea" (Interscope) is the opposite, as his jangling guitar and jaunty but jaded vocals lead an acoustic funk march and peppy sing-along into the heart of darkness. Each trip ends up sounding pretty good.
Listen to "Nausea" here
PHOTO: Joseph Arthur by Steve Gullick / Lonely Astronaut