This week's picks draw on a Czech artist inspired by the Spanish language, soundtrack music from an Icelandic composer, and folk-pop from Portland, Ore.

It’s one of these stories that could only happen in New York: A singer-songwriter from the Czech Republic moves to the city and ends up writing original songs in Caribbean and Latin rhythms ... and in Spanish. That’s the story of Marta Topferova. Her songs are about universal themes, like love and loss, but also about things foreign to Latin culture, like poppy flowers common in the Czech countryside.  -- Gisele Regatao [buy it on Amazon.com]

Valgeir Sigurðsson –Draumalandið (Dreamland) (Bedroom Community)

Although he’s from Iceland, composer/producer Valgeir Sigurðsson also takes on a universal theme in his new album.  Draumalandið – or “Dreamland” – is the soundtrack to a documentary about the global economic forces that have led to the exploitation of  natural resources, especially in Iceland.  The music packs a cinematic, emotional punch. Sigurðsson is best known for his work with Björk, but he’s recently been working with New York-based contemporary classical composer Nico Muhly and the Vermont folk singer Sam Amidon.  The three often work together, in Iceland, blending classical, rock, and folk idioms. Amidon even reveals a convincing Icelandic accent in the traditional song “Grylukvaeði.” Sigurðsson’s Dreamland soundtrack is due in February, but you can sample it now on <a href="http://valgeir.net/">his website</a>. --picked by John Schaefer [buy it on Amazon.com]

Laura Veirs - July Flame (Raven Marching Band)

It was a fateful day when the Portland, Oregon-based songwriter Laura Veirs stumbled across a good batch of July Flame peaches in a farmer’s market. The sweet fruit inspired a song, and that song inspired the title of her seventh album … “July Flame.”  Veirs could get lost in a flood of indie-pop folkies. But this album stands out – it’s anything but “lo-fi.” Most tracks on “July Flame” feature lavish arrangements and quirky instruments. (Autoharp, I’m looking at you.) But even stripped-down songs like “Life Is Good Blues” have surprising moments.  -- picked by Joel Meyer [buy it on Amazon.com]