It's always an amazing moment when an artist's talent catches up with their ambition and that's certainly the case with the musicians in this week's Mandatory Music.

First and foremost, there's the inimitable Ben Folds as he revealed the first track from his upcoming chamber pop collaboration with New York City's yMusic ensemble. 'Capable of Anything' is a bright and fluttering work of complexity that bodes well for the album (which will also feature a 21-minute piano concerto). Other artists who seem to be finding their groove: fun. frontman Nate Ruess in a bittersweet collaboration with Beck; Metric, who continue to explore synth-pop glitchiness; indie punk outfit Titus Andronicus with a track from their upcoming rock opera about manic depression; and L.A. singer-songwriter Chelsea Wolfe, who paints a surreal soundscape with the dark, 'Carrion Flowers.'