Hear now: new music by St. Vincent, M. Kiwunuka, Katy B, Neneh Cherry

By Randall Roberts, Los Angeles Times Pop Music Critic

Feb. 21, 2014 12:18 PM PT

In advance of the weekend, below are a five new songs worthy of your precious time.

St. Vincent, “Prince Johnny.”

Annie Clark’s new album arrives Tuesday, and, as usual under her St. Vincent guise, she delivers smart pop as inventive as it is catchy. “Prince Johnny,” which Clark recently debuted during a guest DJ set on KCRW’s “Morning Becomes Eclectic” program, fit in with the other songs on her playlist. Among others, she played Loretta Lynn, Swans, Stevie Wonder -- “Master Blaster (Jammin’)” -- and King Krule. “Prince Johnny” sounds like none of them -- and nothing else.

Michael Kiwanuka, “You’ve Got Nothing to Lose”

This week saw a few surprise Nashville collaboration announcements. Pop chanteuse Lana Del Rey confirmed that Grammy-winning producer/Black Keys singer Dan Auerbach would be working on her forthcoming album. More important for now, the excellent British singer and songwriter Michael Kiwanuka released a new song, “You’ve Got Nothing to Lose,” produced by Jack White. Issued by White’s Third Man Records imprint, the new song sees Kiwanuka expanding his sound with fresh instrumentation, most notably a fiddle and piano combo.

Katy B, “Drunk in Love”

During a recent appearance as part of the Rinse Sessions, British R&B singer Katy B offered her take on Beyonce’s “Drunk in Love.” Many remixes and covers of the recent hit have come out of late -- the Weeknd, Future, Kanye West, T.I. among them -- but Katy’s is one of the most loving. It reveals intimacy where the men offer boasts. (Warning: explicit language)

Neneh Cherry, “Out of the Black”

The return of Neneh Cherry is cause for celebration. Her first album in nearly two decades arrives Tuesday, and it’s pretty great. Produced by British beatmaker Four Tet, “Blank Project” features quality rhythms worthy of the “Buffalo Stance” creator, and updates her visionary melding of proto-EDM, hip hop and pop for a new century. The teaser single, “Out of the Black,” features one of her spiritual daughters, Robyn, and it’s as infectious and dance-friendly as one would hope from such a collaboration.

Nguzunguzu, “Perfect Lullaby 2” mix

Los Angeles beatmakers Nguzunguzu have been building rhythm tracks around L.A. since the club Wildness ruled the night in the mid-’00s, and over the years they’ve built an increasingly nuanced style. That approach is all over this new mixtape, called “Perfect Lullaby 2.” Fans of minimal techno, tripped out Orb-like excursions and lots of beautiful breaks will love this mix.