Tunes for Tuesdays: Shot of Summer Singles

Let the cascade of searing summer singles commence. With our daylight hours at their longest and our nights sparkling with the promise of new adventure, artists are vying for that elusive spot on everyone's summer playlist.

This week, a stunning collection of women are laying those critical foundations for the first few weeks of hot weather music.

Check 'em out:

M.I.A. - "Teqkilla"

Her music defies the tight confines of genre and is at once explosive and precise. M.I.A. kicked down the blockade of the North American music scene with her tight track, "Paper Planes," from her second full-length album, Kala (2007), and now, she's poised to conquer once again. "Teqkilla" assaults the senses with its clash of sound and its sensual, pulsing drum line. Its dissonance disorients even while its back beats offer a clear rhythm to dance to. M.I.A. delivers a wall of sound to thrash through and a set of lyrics to disrupt complacent thought. Her new album, MAYA, is scheduled for a July 13th release and her single promises another summer filled with M.I.A.

Estelle - "Fall In Love"

Estelle is notorious for her glittery, upbeat brand of R'n'B-meets-pop that simply epitomizes the fresh sunlight of a summer afternoon. She delivers once again with her latest single, "Fall In Love," a carefree track overflowing with the promise of new love and late evenings spent on the dance floor. She dispels the stress of the day-to-day with the mellow spark of her voice and the clever, sci-fi-inspired inflections sprinkled throughout her music. Now, this particular track is a compelling one -- multiple versions exist at the moment. If listeners are partial to rap, check out her duet with Nas. Or, for that smoother sound, check out the version she created with John Legend. For purists, she even offers a solo set of vocals. I admit, I'm partial to the third version -- with a voice like hers, I want to savour each verse.

Faith Evans feat. Snoop Dogg - "Way You Move"

Hmm, so -- not thrilled with Snoop Dogg's appearance on this track. I want to make that clear. Nonetheless, I still pledge my everlasting dedication to the gorgeous voice of Faith Evans. Her vocals float so effortlessly across the pulsing bass lines of her music. She is living proof of the limitless power a breathy, soul-edged feminine voice has over a gal like me. Once again, she proves how compelling that pull is with "Way You Move," a drifting, 90s-inspired track headlining her sixth studio album, Something About Faith, set for a September 14th release date. Her hiatus is broken and it is sweet to see her return to the scene.

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We've got a solid start here and a whole host of light, airy, danceable summer albums on the docket for weeks ahead. It's time to pour the ice tea and escape to the patio with a stereo in hand -- it's time to amplify the season, I believe.