In this Olympic year, we're reminded that the standard for excellence is the color gold. So with that, I fully crown these men (and their guest female artist on lead) of the University of Chicago's Run for Cover the epitome of a winner with their release Gold.

The arrangement by Ahon Sarkar is a pure delight. The production has definitely helped it achieve its electronica result, but the foundation for such movement and creativity started with whatever Ahon set to pixels. The song ebbs and flows and stretches and coils around waves and waves of majestic sound. I hate continuing the imagery, but after the introduction, the energy literally ripples throughout the rest of the track until bursting open at the bridge.

I had initial trepidation with a male group having a female lead on a track, but Kari Wei made me forget all about that. She lives inside this song and it's a grand experience. The one tarnish on this golden endeavor is that some of the male harmonies don't have the same level of passion (or intonation) that Kari does, so there are moments that will jar listeners out of the serenity that she's created.

If recording was an Olympic sport, I'm sure that Run for Cover would stand atop the podium in Rio for its achievement with Gold. Check it out.