Phoenix

In a world where the word cool is criminally overused, here comes Phoenix out of Versailles, France, to reclaim the adjective and lend it real meaning. Just check out the band's heritage and creative pedigree — guitarist Laurent Brancowitz started out in a band with Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, before that duo became Daft Punk; during their early days, the foursome was recruited as back-up for Air on remix work; and vocalist Thomas Mars spends his spare time raising a family with Sofia Coppola. Oh yes, this outfit was born to deliver "cool" electro pop with flourishes of synth-rock — check out the way "If I Ever Feel Better" rubs up against the coarse but sturdy leg of "Party Time" on debut album United (2000); groove handsomely to 2004's "Run Run Run"; and get an effortlessly classical feeling with the first single from 2009's Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, "Lisztomania."