Some sequels are openly clamored for by the public. New Moon, perhaps. Others are totally mystifying -- Wrong Turn 3, anyone? Falling somewhere in between is the upcoming Shock Value 2, Timbaland's star-studded follow-up to his equally star-studded 2007 solo album.

If French actress/chanteuse/pop-royalty Charlotte Gainsbourg’s last album 5:55 was a fairly conventional singer-songwriter affair, then the first taste of her upcoming collaboration with Beck promises something far more adventurous.

Dead By Sunrise is the don't-call-it-a-solo-project solo project from Linkin Park's non-rapping frontman Chester Bennington, perhaps slyly capitalizing on the sexy vampires craze. "Let Down" is the second track from their debut album, Out of Ashes, due October 13.

New Haven, Connecticut: Hallowed wellspring of Ivy League smarty-pants, and, of course, influential metalcore.