Would Marc Almond ever have expected this? R&B singer Rihanna is back with her new single "S.O.S." (Rescue Me), featuring a sample of the classic '80s tune "Tainted Love" by Soft Cell. This is the first single from her sophomore release "A Girl Like Me" out on April 11 on Def Jam Recordings. The tune's ferocious bass line will surely be pumping out of radio speakers near you this summer. Give it a try. It is growing on me. I'm smelling a hit.
Stream Rihanna "S.O.S." (Rescue Me) [real] 
The DFA (Tim Goldsworthy & James Murphy) will be releasing the first installment of their new remix series "The DFA Remixes - Chapter One" on DFA/Astralwerks on April 4th. This compilation is a celebration of some of their hottest remixes including tracks by Fischerspooner ("Emerge"), Gorillaz ("Dare"), Deceptacon ("Le Tigre") and Soulwax ("Another Excuse").
Over the past years, the DFA has built a reputation as one of the most innovative and hip dance producers in the music industry with their post-punk electro beats. No wonder that people like Janet Jackson and Britney Spears have requested their services to add indie dance cred to their sound. In fact, one of my favorite Britney songs is a 2001 demo track that she recorded with the duo but was deemed too experimental for the singer by label executives.
Last year was also a memorable year for the British duo's DFA record label with successful album releases by LCD Soundsystem and Delia Gonzalez & Gavin Russom.
The second "DFA Remixes" album is already in the works and will feature tracks by Goldfrapp, N.E.R.D. and Nine Inch Nails. I'm curious if they selected to spotlight Golfrapp's "Slide In" remix, which is one of my favorite DFA remixes.
Stream DFA Label tracks at MySpace 
After Clear Static and Protocol comes another glammed up electro-pop band presenting '80s throwback material. The Modern celebrates both style and substance on the re-release of their single "Industry" (out on March 6). The British quintet first hit the music scene late 2005 with their debut single "Jane Falls Down" on Vertigo Records. The group is currently wrapping the recording of their debut album together with producer Stephen Hague (Pet Shop Boys, OMD, Erasure).
Founded by Nic Linn and Chi Tudor-Hart, the ambitious group takes its inspiration from some of the great synth-pop artists from the past. "People are finally seeing how influential bands like The Cure, XTC and Joy Division were, bands that were guitar driven but were also pop," says main vocalist Linn on the group's website. "We want to combine the electroclash, synth pop, edgy guitar image and production values with pop songs that people latch onto. In the Eighties, pop was interesting. The Cure appealed to angsty teenagers but they could also be on the cover of Smash Hits. There just isn't that kind of crossover band any more."
Muscially, the group's boy/girl vocals, crisp melodies and new wave-ish synth pop mostly invoke memories of Human League. The critics have been rough on the group for their lack of originality, but as a child of the '80s I welcome groups that celebrate our pop heritage and bring it back into vogue with modern production techniques, fierce fashion and dancefloor-ready hooks. (Thanks to Rich for his suggestion.) (Click here to download The Modern songs from 7Digital.)
Listen to The Modern "Industry"
Watch The Modern "Jane Falls Down" 
I'm dedicated this post to fellow blogger Andy because he can't seem to get enough of cowboy love. Last week, Howard Stern debuted "Cowboys Are Secretly, Frequently (Fond Of Each Other)," a controversial track by country icon Willie Nelson that includes gay-themed lyrics like "What did you think all them saddles and boots was about? (. . .) That's why they wear leather, and Levi's and belts buckled tight. (. . .) "There's many a cowboy who's more like a lady at night." Click here to stream the entire song with lyrics.
The song was written in 1981 by Texas-born, NYC resident musician/songwriter Ned Sublette, long before gay cowboys were the current topic of conversation. After more than twenty years, Nelson finally takes the song out of closet and recorded his own version last year during an iTunes Originals session at his Perdernales, TX studio.
Since everyone is talking about the acclaimed film Brokeback Mountain and its Academy Award nominations, Stern gladly debuted this track on his radio show. Coincidentally, Nelson contributed a song to the soundtrack of the film with his rendition of "He Was A Friend Of Mine." Hail to Willie for taking a stand! Thanks to Jillian at Universal Music for sharing the mp3. (Click here to download the entire track at iTunes.)
Listen to a clip of Willie Nelson "Cowboys Are Secretly ... " [mp3]
Stream Willie Nelson "Cowboys Are Secretly ... " [flash]