THAO NGUYEN This 23-year-old singer-songwriter based in Washington, D.C., put out her debut in 2005, but her new one could (and should) be the big breakthrough. "We Brave Bee Stings and All" will be released Jan. 29, and it presents Nguyen at her best: plucky, eccentric, and wildly entertaining. "Oh, no, how can you stand it? When I run, when I run like a bandit?/ I wear him like a habit/ In the linen of my jacket," she sings on the jangly "Beat (Health, Life, and Fire)." If it's not a huge hit with the indie-rock set, we'd be surprised. Hear a preview at thaomusic.com, and catch her opening for fellow Kill Rock Stars labelmate Xiu Xiu at the Museum of Fine Arts March 21.