Led by Carli Naff, a Brooklyn-based, singer-songwriter from Phoenix, Arizona, Carli & The Dark bring us their debut single “Mimi” via Paper Moon Records. The song announces itself with a combination of subtle layering and poignant lyrics, a swell and exhalation of intimacy. Not unlike Lucy Dacus or Haley Heynderickx, with a lilt reminiscent of Mitski, Carli’s clear but tender voice cuts through the first few seconds like a call to attention. The opening electric guitar is soon joined by an acoustic as the song continues to build, adding layer over layer in a tasteful arrangement of dreamy vocals, shoegazey riffs, and even the subtle accent of horns. It takes looking back to realize how many elements are at play on this track, how the textures culminate in a lush harmony without sounding overworked. This unconventional breakup song also replaces drama with compassion, speaking of the shift in the relationship between two women when one cannot provide what the other needs anymore. Rather than falling apart, they find a balance through love and empathy. Carli sings about the strength of their bond continuing on past their romance as her voice echoes through to the end, “We walk in stride / I love you always.” With thoughtful lyrics paired alongside gorgeous vocals and intricate instrumentation, “Mimi” is an impressively mature and promising debut, making Carli & The Dark an artist to keep an ear out for.

Breezy and classic, "Iris Road" is a carefree daydream with a catchy melody. The new single from Canadian musicians Rachel Bobbitt and Justice Der captures the wild, carefree spirit of youth through upbeat, muffled percussion and lush, lo-fi instrumentation. Bright, beachy guitars are a burst of sunshine, while Bobbitt’s warm, harmonic vocals are a refreshing breeze throughout the arrangement. The lyrics are dreamy and pensive, perfectly matching the mood. "I fall in line / You get dizzy tracing circles in my mind / And you take your time / Hands in your pocket so you never reach for mine." "Iris Road" is sunny and atmospheric, and is featured on Bobbitt and Der’s debut album, When This Plane Goes Down, out October 25th.

“Those Girls”, the fifth track off of Big Thief’s latest record Two Hands starts quickly and plays out slowly. Adrianne Lenker sings in a forceful almost-whisper that extends over an entrancing three and a half minutes. Consistent percussion pairs with an easy, calming ensemble of strings that reverberate over themselves and fall into silence as the song concludes with a reflective fifteen seconds of silence. Wistful verses and easing instrumentals fill the middle of the album with grace.

On their eleventh studio album Ode to Joy, Wilco strings together intimate, direct moments that paint a picture of hope, solace and a search for meaningful connection. Frontman Jeff Tweedy leads the way through discord with a steady maturity and calmness, bringing us out the other side with a higher self-awareness than before. In each track, Wilco makes the case that belonging and happiness do not have to be diminished for one person just to be attainable to others. The third song on the record, “One and a Half Stars," fully embodies that theme, examining how we deal with comfort, feeling safe and communicating appropriately with one another. Although there are certainly hints of weariness and poignancy throughout the song, Tweedy's forthright, heartfelt vocal tone really takes the center stage. His tender lyrics don’t miss a beat, “You mean too much to me / I'm angry / I could need so much / I'm worried about the way / We're all living.” The humble mix of acoustic guitar, gentle drums and keyboard lightly march along before eventually picking up in pace as Tweedy attempts to find a way to adopt new habits. Even though "One and a Half Stars" is one of the more modest ballads on the project, it holds an incredible amount of emotional resonance that helps build more empathy. Wilco isn’t trying to roll out new tricks or outdo themselves. Instead, they offer their honest take on the anxious, perplexing and ever-changing world we all currently reside in. Ode to Joy is out now via dBpm Records.

Indie psych-rock act HalfNoise, the solo project of Paramore drummer Zac Farro, just released his third album, Natural Disguise, via Congrats Records. Filled with bright, disco-inspired melodies and clear, vibrant arrangements, the album features some of Farro’s boldest, most genre-bending work to date. A standout track is “Guess,” a mid-tempo, synth-pop dance anthem with a contagiously groovy beat. A pumping bassline with colorful, reverberating guitars evokes the carefree vibes of 70s psychedelia, while bright, tight drums and a clear, affected vocal emphasize Farro’s crisp, modern production style. Spacey synths and electronic keys round out the dynamic instrumentation, adding some fun, quirky details that highlight the track’s playful undertones. Overall, “Guess” is an exciting party song with a catchy melody and an arrangement full of surprising intricacies.

Nevil oozes bass-filled 90s nostalgia in their new single “5 Year Warranty.” The all-girl rock trio from Austin creeps their way through the breakup track with a steady bassline, shoegaze guitar, a heavy dose of high hat and languid vocals. The song stays in the pocket for over four minutes—showing immense restraint as the lead singer and guitarist Emily Rose sings, “there you go making another god damn scene / as you shout ‘why is everybody being so mean’.” They chronicle a break-up in which one party feels they’ve been unjustly made into a bad guy and is constantly reappearing in search of some answers. The track is droney, buzzy and dripping in reverb. “5 Year Warranty” is a cool-girl breakup anthem. It’s the perfect example of how we all would like to hold our composure when someone is blaming us for something falling apart. "5 Year Warranty" is quiet and restrained in its angst as it leans into the annoying reality of post-breakup communication.