NEW MUSIC

Estelle

Shine (Atlantic)
****

This London-to-Brooklyn transplant doesn't reinvent the modern hip-hop joint, but damn if she isn't the freshest herb in the air right now. She opens with a jazz-age rhythm on the glorious single “Wait a Minute (Just a Touch)” and doesn't let the cross-fertilization of styles and attitudes let up. She steals the vocal melody from George Michael's “Faith” for “No Substitute Love,” brings in big fan Kanye for his bit, adds some rasta-skank underneath “Come Over,” and cedes “Pretty Please (Love Me)” to Cee-Lo's super-Motown backing vocals. She raps, she sings, she's not taking any guff from you playas out there. What more do you need? —DAN LOUGHRY

Madonna

Hard Candy (Warner Bros.)
**1/2

Listener beware: This album needs a few rotations to get a good feeling for it. Upon first listen, Hard Candy sounds like a bass-heavy promo tape for some of today's biggest hip-hop producers—a promo tape that happens to have Madonna on vocals. “Spanish Lesson” is an absolute mess, while “Incredible” comes off dull and half-assed. Give it another listen or two, however, and you'll find a few gems. Upcoming single “Give It To Me” is a disco head rush with a hot electro pulse. And “Beat Goes On” and “Dance 2 Night” do their names justice by being very dance friendly. At times, Hard Candy seems to be more about showcasing the producers than the leading lady, but hey, at least she doesn't rap. —JEFF KATZ

Mariah Carey

E=MC2 (Island)
***

Mariah's attempts to stay relevant well into a decades-long career (by name-dropping YouTube and using text talk like O.O.C.) more often than not fall a little flat. But it's not just insipid writing here. “That Chick,” which was initially rumored to be the first single (and should have been) is a sing-along dance hit in the making, complete with hot disco beats. “I Stay In Love” is straight out of the Mariah ballad handbook, which is a welcomed return as it means strong vocals. In fact, the one consistent plus across E=MC2 is a lack of the cooey whispers of late and a solid showing of what MC does best—belt! —J.K.

Portishead

Third (Island)
****

From out of nowhere comes the brilliant third studio album from the reunited Portishead, the aptly titled, Third. After nearly a decade, they sound as disturbing and creepy as ever. These new tracks don't stray far from their patented film noir sound, but they still have an updated feel, as if they've been absorbing the latest Flaming Lips, Radiohead, and Clinic studio experiments. Beth Gibbons' restrained vocals are intense and claustrophobic, and her brooding lyrics prove that depressions can take years to overcome. Not an album to put on for a party; it's a deeply cathartic and personal listening experience meant to be absorbed on earphones. —CHRIS FREEMAN

CONCERT CALENDAR

Joe Jackson

The iconic British performer comes to L.A. following the release of his new album Rain. Orpheum Theatre. Tue., May 13. 8 p.m. $35-45. www.ticketmaster.com.

Les Nubians

The most successful French-language musical group in the U.S. makes a pit stop in Hollywood. Key Club. Thurs., May 15. 8:30 p.m. $20. www.ticketmaster.com.

The Proclaimers

Who wouldn't walk 500 miles to see them live on stage for one night only? The El Rey Theatre. Fri., May 16. 8 p.m. $24. www.theelrey.com.

Murder By Death

Inspired by the 1976 movie starring Truman Capote, the eclectic Indiana rockers tear up West Hollywood. The Troubadour. Sun., May 18. 8 p.m. $12. www.ticketmaster.com.

Homo Must

The B-52's

The fabulous band is back in the southland to promote their dynamite new album Funplex, and they haven't missed a beat! House of Blues, Anaheim. Sat., May 11. 8 p.m. $52. www.ticketmaster.com.