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Teng is a Stanford grad and former computer geek who worked for software giant Cisco Systems in California’s Silicon Valley. But you’d never know it listening to this album, which is neither soulless nor calculating. Rather, the 27-year-old singer-pianist, working with producer Larry Klein (Madeleine Peyroux), crafts emotionally rich songs like the celebratory “City Hall” and the exquisite “Whatever You Want.” Add string-laden numbers like “Now Three” and her music sounds like a kind of luxurious chamber folk. July 25

San Francisco musician-activist Franti has never pulled his political punches (one of his songs, “Bomb the World,” even drew the ire of the FBI). Franti’s latest, inspired by travels to Baghdad, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, is radical stuff, with the singer-rapper calling for revolution on the incendiary title track. But Franti sweetens his message with bubbly reggae rhythms from Sly and Robbie and guest vocals from Pink on the joyous pop gem “One Step Closer to You.” Like Bob Marley crossed with UB40. July 25   

Jerry Garcia’s band had their Deadheads, while Jimmy Buffett has his Parrotheads. The fans of Tex-Mex rockers Los Lonely Boys are known as “Loopies,” who’ll undoubtedly be pleased with this followup to the group’s 2004 multiplatinum-selling debut. The Garza brothers, guitarist Henry, bassist Jojo and drummer Ringo (really), recruit Willie Nelson and their father, Tejano musician Enrique Garza Sr., on the country-rocking “Outlaws,” while tracks like “Oye Mamacita” bear an uncanny resemblance to (what else?) Santana. July 18   

The Minneapolis alt-rockers were once overshadowed by fellow homies Hüsker Dü and The Replacements. But that was before frontman Dave Pirner started dating Winona Ryder and the band topped the charts, amid cries of sell out, with the slick “Runaway Train.” Soul Asylum’s first album since the death of bassist Karl Mueller isn’t going to win back old fans. Songs like “Stand Up and Be Strong” and “Crazy Mixed Up World,” which Pirner wrote on becoming a dad, are overly earnest, instantly forgettable anthems. July 11

Buffalo’s fiercely independent, openly bisexual punk folkie makes albums that are equally political and personal. DiFranco’s latest is no exception. The title track and “Millennium Theater” both cite the curse of patriarchy, while the cautionary “Decree” urges, “Step up and forfeit your frontal lobe to the sexed up strobe of celebrity.” Just when her stridency begins to irritate, DiFranco delivers a jazz-tinged, poetic ballad like “Hypnotized” so tender that she could win over the most jaded, non-partisan listener. July 11

Still ramblin’ at nearly 75, Elliott’s been around since Woody Guthrie. A onetime cowboy turned hobo, he’s hung out with beatniks and Deadheads and starred in Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder roadshow. His flat-picking is vintage folk-blues and his voice, now deliciously craggy, bears the mark of many traveled miles on songs like “Arthritis Blues” and “Leaving Cheyenne.” Despite the presence of fans like Lucinda Williams and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea, Elliott, a bona fide living legend, owns the whole spotlight. July 11

Toronto has long been the beneficiary of a pipeline that brought top-notch musicians from Kingston to Canada. This handsome compilation, the first in a series, digs up the best soul, funk and reggae recorded in the T-Dot from 1967-74. Standout numbers include Jackie Mittoo’s funky keyboard nugget “Grand Funk,” Noel Ellis’ sweet reggae “Memories” and the Mighty Pope’s soulful workout “Mr. Fortune.” But tracks by Lloyd Delpratt, The Cougars and Jo-Jo & the Fugitives are equally crucial, rediscovered gems. July 11

Peaches (a.k.a. Toronto’s Merrill Nisker) is Feist’s potty-mouthed counterpart. Where Feist moved to Paris to become an ultra-cool chanteuse, her former roommate relocated to Berlin and spawned an x-rated brand of electroclash. Here, Peaches gets help from Joan Jett on the pumping “You Love It” and from Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme and Feist on the hoser anthem “Give ’er.” Like Carole Pope crossed with Madonna—only dirtier, Peaches leaves the listener in desperate need of a shower. July 11

This has all the ingredients of another Cockburn classic: political tunes (“Slow Down Fast”) and spiritual numbers (“To Fit in My Head”) mixed with travelogue (“This is Baghdad”), love songs (“Different When it Comes to You”) and instrumentals (“Peace March”). But the addition of horns (jazz trumpeter Kevin Turcotte), a 23-piece string section and vocal assists from Ani DiFranco, Ron Sexsmith, Hawksley Workman and Damhnait Doyle give the veteran Canuck folk legend’s 29th album a refreshing new spin. July 11   

Emm Gryner is a “hot one.” Her resumé includes: singer-songwriter (eight albums); producer; label owner (Dead Daisy Records); David Bowie band member (keyboards and backup vocals). Recently, Gryner has joined fellow Torontonian Jordan Kern and New York City’s Nathan Larson and Kevin March in a cross-border side project. Hot One’s debut bristles with loud ’n’ angry rockers like “Get Your Priest On!” and “Daddy Was a Pilot,” and the versatile Gryner can now add kickass bass to her impressive list of credits. July 4