"The Morning" by The Weeknd

Video: "Wolves, Lower" by R.E.M.

As much as I want to say Collapse Into Now is a rebirth, or at least a crawling-out-of-the-grave, for R.E.M., sorry, but it's really not that good. In fact, I prefer Accelerate, which itself is barely above average. But I'm on a strong R.E.M. kick lately, delving into their latest proper live album, 2009's Live at the Olympia, which is a lovingly compiled double-album that focuses more on early-career hits and deep-cut favorites. The album inspired me to finally check out the oldest R.E.M., their 1982 debut EP Chronic Town, which has just the kind of jangly guitars and mumbled lyrics that counts as quintessential R.E.M. for me.

"Hamilton Road" by Ducktails