Playlist: 10 tracks you need to hear

Listen to our ten favourite songs this week, including Imogen Heap, Labrinth and Saint Etienne.

Imogen Heap: 'Xizi She Knows'
For those who need a quick update: Imogen Heap's latest project Heapsongs involves her putting tracks together from all manner of random noises or "sound seeds" sent in by her fans. Confused? So are we, but the latest track in the series 'Xizi She Knows' - which is available to download now - is easily the best of them yet. RC



Labrinth: 'The Last Time'
Following his monster hit 'Earthquake' (which is still perched just outside the Top 10 on the official charts), Labrinth is pushing forward the next cut from his forthcoming album Electronic Earth. On first listen, 'Last Time' might sound like another generic "L.A to Afree-ca!" number, but on closer inspection, the production is slicker than your average and the chorus's hook is subtle but worryingly addictive. RC



Saint Etienne: 'Tonight'
2012 marks the long-awaited return of indie dance trio Saint Etienne; and if that wasn't exciting enough, they've even roped in Richard X (Will Young, Sugababes) for their forthcoming LP Words and Music by Saint Etienne. Lead single 'Tonight' - which is available to download on their official website for free - is wistful electropop at its very best. RC



Chris Brown: 'Turn Up The Music'
Following the success of 'Beautiful People' and 'Yeah 3x', Breezy has realised that hitting the clubs is big business and as such continues the trend on his latest cut 'Turn Up The Music'. The track may be the standard mix of big beats, fist-pumping synths and lyrics of partying all night long, but when it's done right, it never fails to hit the spot. LC



TOY: 'Left Myself Behind'
Word on the street is that rock five-piece TOY are destined for big things. The band experiment with a range of rock-based sounds including punk and psychedelia and recently re-released their track 'Left Myself Behind' as a free download. If you want to check them out live, they will play a couple of dates in London next month. LC



Fixers: 'Iron Deer Dream'
Oxford-born band Fixers are kickstarting 2012 with the release of their new single 'Iron Deer Dream'. Taken from their forthcoming debut album We'll Be The Moon, the track is a soaring mix of chiming guitars and floating harmonies that glide as high as their surreal visuals. You'll be able to catch them supporting Kaiser Chiefs' UK tour next month or at their own headline gigs throughout May. LC



Kaskade ft. Skylar Grey: 'Room For Happiness'
Fans of hip-hop emo-ballads will already be well aware of Skylar Grey, but now she plans to spread her wings into dance music; teaming up with American DJ and producer Kaskade on the hazy and hypnotic 'Room For Happiness'. Listen to the audio in full below: RC



Miike Snow ft Lykke Li: 'Black Tin Box'
Indie popsters Miike Snow have teamed up with Sweden's leading lady Lykke Li on new track 'Black Tin Box'. Unsurprisingly, the cut is an eerie and mysterious mix of swirling electronics, pounding beats and ethereal vocals. LC



Justice: 'On 'n' On'
The French duo release 'On 'n' On' from their latest and rather brilliant album Audio, Visual, Disco - complete with a bundle of remixes - on February 27. The accompanying music video continues Justice's penchant for hypnotic visuals as members Gaspard Augé and Xavier de Rosnay float through space in the style of the Star Wars title sequence. LC



Cyrpess Hill x Rusko: 'Roll It Light It'
When we first heard that hip-hop veterans Cypress Hill were teaming up with dubstep producer Rusko, we couldn't help but feel the move was a cynical ploy on the former's part to regain their days of chart glory. That said, the result is surprisingly good; a headspinning, mosh pit-ready number that remains suitably rough around the edges. Listen to the the track and download it for free below. Their 5-track collaborative EP follows in April. RC



Which are your favourite tracks on this week's playlist? What upcoming releases are you looking forward to? Leave your comments in the box below: