What scarlet letter? Right now, “A” stands for artistry as well as being the first initial of three amazing females with new discs to discover.

Alanis Morissette releases her seventh studio album today. Flavors of Entanglement was co-produced by Guy Sigsworth, which is the reason why I’ve been awaiting this date. Sigsworth has been behind the board for Björk and Madonna, but his partnership with Imogen Heap is what first captured my attention. After producing Heap’s woefully overlooked debut, the two were so simpatico that they continued writing together and formed Frou Frou. I bought their resulting album, Details, as an import, falling for Frou Frou long before Zach Braff brought the duo to mainstream attention via Garden State.

Sigsworth’s inventive soundscapes are perfectly suited for pop, but he hasn’t quite gotten the spotlight he so deserves. As Alanis has sonically and lyrically impressed folks like me in the past, the aural meeting of these two minds may very well be the highlight of the year. Here’s the video to first single “Underneath”:

Purchase Alanis Morissette – Flavors of Entanglement from Amazon, iTunes (the Deluxe Edition features five additional Sigsworth-produced tracks).

Adele releases her debut, 19, today. I’ve championed this one since picking up the import back in March, and am so happy to see it appear Stateside. As I said then, Adele’s captivating voice suggests a much older chanteuse, the spirit of a long-ago torch/jazz singer transported to the modern age.

Adele’s currently touring the U.S., though I regrettably missed her recent Chicago date (tickets were snatched up by the time I’d heard). Tonight, she performs in New York City, the first of two sold-out gigs there.

All bodes well for Adele. Check out the video to her second UK single, “Cold Shoulder”:

Purchase Adele – 19 via Amazon, iTunes (the Amazon version, offered at a bargain $6.99, features 5 bonus tracks).

Aimee Mann returns to the scene with @#%&! Smilers, after recent forays into concept albums (2005’s The Forgotten Arm) and Christmas discs (2006’s One More Drifter In The Snow).

Long a favorite of mine, Mann is consistently great, no matter what theme she’s tackling.

Here’s the video to first-rate first single, “Freeway”:

If you think you can do better than that, Mann up. Submit your own take on “Freeway,” upload it to YouTube, and you might find yourself sharing a stage with Mann at an upcoming show. Grab the details (and the “Freeway” instrumental) here.

Purchase Aimee Mann – @#%&*! Smilers via Amazon, iTunes (a deluxe version is also available).