Anyone still bumping some Nylon on their iPod?

If you’re not already familiar with the Iceland-bred girl group troupe (trust me, no one’s judging you), a brief recap: The girls were a huge success abroad in their homeland throughout the mid-’00′s, crafting three #1 albums (two in Icelandic, one in English), loads of hit singles including “Holiday,” their own reality show and a book deal.

The girls even enjoyed some moderate international success with their cover of The Real People‘s “Losing A Friend,” which peaked in the Top 30 of the UK Charts in 2006, along with their version of The Eurythmics‘ oft-covered “Sweet Dreams”, which peaked at #1 on the UK Dance Charts. Plus, they opened for the Almighty Girls Aloud on tour! (Talk about a true seal of approval!)

But like most tried-and-true girl groups, the original roster was rocked: In mid-2007, founding member Emilia ditched the group (on good terms, ALLEGEDLY) to spend more time with her husband, resulting in a scrapped UK release of their English record 100% Nylon and a rush release their greatest hits collection, Best Af Nylon. The remaining ladies announced a hiatus for the band shortly thereafter, promising fans that they’d be back one day.

Well, they’re back–this time in the form of a trio known as The Charlies.

On November 11 (11/11/11), The Charlies released their first (100% free) mixtape: The Start A Fire EP, produced by Icelandic production troupe StopWaitGo.

It’s an entirely amazing listen from start to finish, heavily inspired by the throbbing Scandinavian pulsations of Britney‘s Femme Fatale–from the four-to-the-floor space-age synthesizers to the unmistakable “Hold It Against Me”-inspired dubstep breakdowns.

There’s the dooming, equal parts sexy and silly “Monster (Eat Me!)” (What can I say? I’m a sucker for a girl begging for you to eat her–right, RiRi?), to the gorgeous, sauntering “Start A Fire,” to the all-out smutty club affair of “Let That Body Breathe,” to my current obsession: “Ticking Like A Bomb.”

While the song is a fairly straightforward lyrical affair about going out and blowing up, it’s armed with one of the immediate, unstoppable–and dare I say, explosive!–choruses I’ve heard all year: “I’m about to go o-o-o-out!” the girls scream-sing before the song’s surging beats come pumping into the speakers. Waves of pleasure, friends. Waves of pleasure.

There’s even a sweetly sung cover of Coldplay‘s “Yellow,” which showcases the girls’ pleasant, skillful crooning to the forefront. It’s so sweet!

Having already hit the studio with The Smeezingtons (Bruno Mars), J.R. Rotem and Jukebox, it seems like we’re going to see the girls doing big, big things in 2012.

Start counting down to the explosion now!

Many thanks to Muuser Eric H. for blowing up my spot about these girls for over a month. You were quite right.

YES. YES. YES. A HUNDRED TIMES, YES.

MuuMuse’s Most Anticipated Artist of 2010 did NOT disappoint.

Click above to hear a preview of “Mirrors,” the official debut single by the talented and murderous Miss Natalia Kills.

With a grinding synthesized beat recalling that of the Eurythemics‘ “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of These)” and a healthy helping of over-driven guitars, “Mirrors” is a delicious, dark moment of sexy electro-pop for the up-and-coming artist. “Turning the lights out, tighten the handcuffs / And the mirrors going to fog tonight,” Kills croons as she sorts through her bag of weapons to determine the best tool for torture.

And let’s not forget about the preview video–Kills, you’re looking like one fine murderous mistress tempting those mirror shards!

As a very, very wise woman once said: “There’s a certain satisfaction in a little bit of pain.”

“Mirrors” will be the lead single from Kills’ debut album, Perfectionist, due out in the fall.

To learn more about Natalia Kills, click here to read the MuuMuse interview.

Looking for a track to help count down to the New Year?

Problem solved! Meet the T-Minus 321 unofficial remix of Britney‘s “3.”

It’s basically as if “3″ met the synthesizers from the Eurythemics‘ “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of These),” and then some futuristic, electro sounds a la Frankmusik at a gay bar. There’s some stuttering, some stopping, and a whole lot of yelping.

Let’s just do it, you and me…all the way to 2010!

DL: Britney Spears – 3 (T-Minus 321 Remix)

Ready for another selection from Titiyo‘s new album?

This is “Crystal Clear Mud,” a MASSIVE new track off of the singer’s upcoming release, Hidden. Much as with “Awakening,” the new track is mysterious, complimented by a slow, mourning chant of “Falling on a bruise, then fade away” similar to the Eurythemics‘ “Here Comes the Rain Again.” Building on top of a ghostly atmosphere, the song splinters into a harder, more industrial punch in the last minute–a gorgeous final touch.

Chances are, if you’re into Fever Ray, Portishead, M83, or any and all Swedish pop like myself, you’re going to taking a liking to this one.

DL: Titiyo – Crystal Clear Mud

Titiyo’s upcoming album, Hidden, will be released later this week on Friday (October 16) in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Benelux, and on November 9 in the UK.