There’s a lot to be excited about when it comes to Alex Winston.

The Detroit native first appeared on my radar in January 2010 when buzz track “Animal Baby” started making the rounds on several blogs I like. Like much of Winston’s work, “Animal Baby” has a summery cheer that masks a darker emotional current; the song’s real subject is weary disillusionment with an indecisive ex-lover, but when a song’s spunky nonchalance is this effective, you’d never even guess.

Her first single, “Choice Notes,” is a fuzzy, Spectorific slice of plucky piano pop that was infectious enough to merit inclusion in a European car commercial, but its B-side, “Medicine,” might be better still: It’s sad and stubborn, with an irresistible singalong chorus. Both tracks feature production from dance-pop duo The Knocks, who perfectly complement Winston’s distinctive, haunting vocals with the kind of subtle, quirky faux-Motown instrumentation that Amy Winehouse and Duffy would rather beat you over the head with. Winston’s retro-pop always sounds modern, never regressive.

So I’m more excited than ever with the release of “Sister Wife,” the first single off of Winston’s forthcoming mini-album of the same name. Only Winston could do a song with a polygamy narrative and produce something winsome and charming, rather than clumsy and precious; there are layers of vocal “ooh-oooh”s and aerobic drums and a big belter of a chorus (“Hey there sister wife, get the hell out, it’s my night!”). Having already been championed by The Guardian and NME, Winston’s path to success seems obvious.

Download “Sister Wife” for free via the reliably amazing Neon Gold Records.

The Sister Wife EP will be released via HeavyRoc Records on February 11. (iTunes)

Hot off the heels of their debut single, The Knocks are back with a new remix.

This time, it’s for the latest/oldest single from the illustrious Marina & The Diamonds, “I Am Not A Robot,” which has been curiously re-released for April and continues to climb the singles chart.

The mix has got lots of echoey moments and a wide array of synthesizers zipping around all over the place. All in all, it plays ever-so-lightly sadder, spacier, and more detached than the original. I like.

Make sure to watch the accompanying THX1138-assisted remix video, which continues to prove my theory that Marina is, indeed, a robot after all.

DL: Marina & The Diamonds – I Am Not A Robot (The Knocks Remix)

While that’s downloading, make sure to check out her interview on BBC Breakfast from earlier today. (Spoiler alert: There are eyes on her boobies.)

Having previously worked with Ellie Goulding, Marina & The Diamonds, Sky Ferreira, the White Tie Affair, and their latest protegees, Samuel and Alex Winston, NYC production duo The Knocks have just debuted their first single: “Blackout,” a hands-in-the-air party track.

Sung by one half of the duo (Mr. Jpatt), the song is nothing short of a rave happy celebration, combining shouty vocals with an indie-dance groove a la Passion Pit and The Black Kids.

DL: The Knocks – Blackout

Seriously, is there anything named “Blackout” that isn’t a smashing success?

The single will be released on iTunes on May 4, featuring remixes by Chiddy Bang, Samuel, Fear Of Tigers, Yes Giantess, and more. You can expect one of those remixes to premiere excluusively on MuuMuse in the coming weeks.

Just last night, I was tweet-lamenting the fact that the latest series of “3″ mixes to hit the net have been, to say the very least, mediocre.

Once again, The Knocks have answered my call.

With their OFFICIAL (yes, this mix will be released on iTunes!) club mix of “3,” the Knocks boys smooth over the grating quality of the Max Martin original with a slick coat of cool, ’90′s club sounds and jagged electro synthesizers.

My favorite mix of the bunch for sure. Love it!

DL: Britney Spears – 3 (The Knocks Club Edit)

This here’s The Knocks remix of a Marina & The Diamonds favorite, “Mowgli’s Road.” The boys behind this production first impressed me with their thumping bass rendition of The Killers‘ “Spaceman”, and it appears they’ve just done it again.

A little bit of donk on it seems to go miles for Marina, as her already chipper “Road” turns into an all-out glee fest on this mix, featuring a nice electro-guitar vibe and some cool synths. A nice accompaniment to an already brilliant track…and who could resist a bit more sparkle on their Diamonds?

DL: Marina And The Diamonds – Mowgli’s Road (The Knocks Remix)

Hold on to your high tops ladies and gents, ’cause this one’s a real stomper! No, I’m serious…tie your laces before you get onto the dancefloor. I’m not about to have anyone losing their shoes out there.

Now bring that bass back and set the night ablaze!

DL: The Killers (The Knocks Remix)