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Spring Fling

Check out links to nine songs we're lovin' these days -- eight from still unreleased CDs

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OUR HIT PARADE Moore, Timbaland, and Wainwright are on our list of picks to click

Jeff Vespa/WireImage.com; Rufus Wainwright: Ellis Parrinder

By Leah Greenblatt, Simon Vozick-Levinson

Click on the song title to hear the track and/or see the video.

''Extraordinary,'' Mandy Moore
Multihyphenate Moore continues to evolve from her teen-pop origins, now heading into gentle coffeehouse-rock territory with this pretty, piquant folk-pop ballad. (Album due June 19) B+

''Umbrella,'' Rihanna feat. Jay-Z
Pop's Caribbean queen returns with the sexiest ode to weather protection ever. All bone-deep synths, stuttering riddims — and, of course, Hova — it just kills. (Album due June 5) A

''Apologize,'' Timbaland feat. One Republic
Tossing his star-stuffed Rolodex aside, the visionary beatsmith teams up instead with an obscure pop-rock band from L.A. on this spacey breakup ballad. (Album out) A-

''Time Won't Let Me Go,'' The Bravery
These stylish new-wave revivalists — one of 2005's most buzzed-about acts — stave off a sophomore slump with a resonant lament for days gone by. (Album due May 22) A-

''Going to a Town,'' Rufus Wainwright
Lush orchestration surrounds the chamber-pop virtuoso's rueful musings (''I'm going to a place that has already been disgraced.../I'm so tired of America''). (Album due May 15) A-

''What I've Done,'' Linkin Park
No more raging rap-metal outbursts for the multiplatinum sextet. Their first single in three years is a crisp, melodic modern-rock anthem, courtesy of producer Rick Rubin. (Album due May 15) B+

''Johnny Cash,'' Jason Aldean
The Nashville star honors the Man in Black with this rowdy sing-along: ''Quit my job, flipped off the boss.../Blastin' out the Johnny Cash, headin' for the highway!'' (Album due May 29) B+

''Lock U Down,'' Mya feat. Lil Wayne
The R&B siren and the nimble-tongued New Orleans rapper exchange flirty quips over a spare, funky track provided by Timbaland rival Scott Storch. (Album due June 26) B+

''Diamonds,'' Fabolous feat. Young Jeezy
MCs from Brooklyn and Atlanta wax poetic about their jewelry, showing that love of bling has no borders. (Album due June 12) B+

Want more new music from Björk, Biggie, Arctic Monkeys, and more? Find links to more of spring's best tunes in EW.com's online-only Download This.

Posted Apr 11, 2007 | Published in issue #930 Apr 20, 2007 | Order Article Reprints