Every week, I write a New Music Tuesday column for AfterElen.com. As you can imagine, not all releases are like the others – so I’ve decided to post my favorite release from each week’s post right here.

These are the albums  that make me want to kiss random strangers on the streets because we live in a world where music can be THIS DAMN GOOD! Take Katie Herzig’s album, The Waking Sleep, for example:

Today’s top spot is taken by this gal from Nashville whose music has appeared on shows like Grey’s Anatomy, Pretty Little Liars and Drop Dead Diva but has only appeared on my playlist for the first time today. What is it with this week being the one in which I find out about incredible musicians who have been around for a while but never appeared on my radar? The Waking Sleep is so refreshing, I guess maybe like the title suggests? I’m not one to read too much into things but it truly gives a feeling of waking up right after one of the best night’s sleep and being ready to tackle the world. I am, dare I say it, smitten with this album.

via New Music Tuesday: 9-20-2011 | | AfterEllen.com.

From the opening song, “Free My Mind”, she had me at hello. The electronic elements are so minimal and the orchestral arrangements are so beautiful, her music sounds like nothing I’ve heard in a really long time (if ever).

Katie will be playing at the Park West Theater this Friday, September 23rd and tickets are a bargain at $17.