Mikal Cronin - Weight, from the new album "MCII."

Being the best in a resurgent genre is a difficult position for any artist. Should they continue to make music in the same vein because that's what people want? Or do they try to change everything up and risk alienating the audience they've spent the past few years developing?

This week on New Hot, read about a group whose frontwoman runs the influential Pop Noire record label plus the newest funk and soul sensation sweeping Europe. These are our three recommended releases for Tuesday, May 7.

Julia Sweeney is a comedian and writer best-known for her stint on Saturday Night Live in the early '90s and for her hilarious, thoughtful and moving monologues. While she was in town for Wits last fall, she stopped by The Current to chat with Barb Abney and take over our airwaves.

It occurred to me the other day that I’ve been kicking off most Friday Five posts this season with some chit-chat about the weather. So Minnesotan, I know. But at this point, I don’t even know what season it’s supposed to be, or how we’re all supposed to feel about it. So instead, I’m cueing…

Who's signature move do you want to give a nod to this morning? We'll pick out a couple of your suggestions and play them for today's 9:30 Coffee Break.

Stephanie Curtis reviews a new film from director Mira Nair ('Monsoon Wedding', 'The Namesake') and also talks about 'Iron Man 3'.

Just a few years ago, James Blake was a precocious and talented young electronic producer dabbling in the UK's vast, eclectic, fast-moving and amorphous "post-dubstep" scene. Shortly thereafter, he began recording vocals over his own productions, swerving out of the dance music scene and into the vanguard of indie electro-pop with a wounded cyber-soul sound.

Comedian Tig Notaro spoke to Jill Riley, of The Current's Morning Show, about her indie music cred, developing a podcast about philosophy and religion, and dealing with tragedy.

Oasis got dissed by a bank, Metallica sent hate mail to Napster, and the Godfather of Soul was born Today in Music History.