Mosquitos SUNSHINE BARATO (Bar None)

Sticky, sensual, and impressionistic, Sunshine Barato is a multicultural mash-up of Brazilian beats and American indie pop (the title itself, which means "cheap sunshine," is a combination of English and Portuguese) that’s as light and fruity as a nice Beaujolais. Chris Root’s nasal whine complements Juju Stulbach’s willowy coo, and though together they make a joyful noise with the trippy samba of "Love Remix" and the call-and-response of "The Ending," it’s Stulbach’s solo turns that make the hair on the back of your neck curl like corkscrews. Her voice on the becalming "Vagalume," the new wavish "Blue Heart," and the loopy samba "No Fim do País" has a come-hither sexuality that’s as alluring as it is addictive. Most of these songs dwell on love’s dulcet folly, and though there are images of summer’s lonely end, waiting anxiously by the phone, and swimming out into oblivion, the airy and vivacious tunes never fail to put pep in your step. If music has the power to heal, then Mosquitos are your friendly neighborhood general practitioners.