Hypnotizing listeners back into his universe yet again, Frank Ocean returns with highly hyped new single “DHL” from the artist’s first studio album release since 2016. The track dropped unannounced at the end of Ocean’s most recent blonded RADIO session, giving a taste of what is rumored to be a thirteen-track LP. Ocean teams up with electro-house producer Boys Noize on “DHL” and delivers swirling sounds and carefully casual lyrics. The song begins with his signature, stylized ambient noise—reminiscent of a more somber, slow version to the introduction of “Nikes.” He raps about a lover, things he’s bought, and attending fashion week in camping gear, “Look like I’m dressed for a hike / But I really look like I’m in Paris.” A mundane tone, almost droning, takes over the beats of the song and paints a portrait of Ocean in his day to day life—as normal as it can be. Following the announcement of “DHL” came the news of two other singles, “Cayendo” and “Dear April." Both were premiered at Ocean's new club PrEP+, where the artist played some remixed snippets. Both old and new Frank fans alike can look forward to new content being released in this era of activity.

Oslo-based artist girl in red’s (aka Marie Ulven) newest track "i’ll die anyway." is a three minute and twelve-second glimpse into an existential crisis. The 20-year-old bedroom pop artist plays down the melodrama with new wave-inspired guitars and her edging on monotone vocals. The story of self-doubt, omnipresent anxiety over the future and creeping despair is achingly familiar as Ulven launches into the chorus, “I reach for me, but I’m not there / I always wonder why I’m here / it’s fine it’s ok / I’ll die anyway.” If you didn’t listen to the words, you could think it was an upbeat song as it builds from verse to chorus with gradual precision. Each instrument fills in to create a track worthy of tapping your foot along to as you overthink your place in the world. "i’ll die anyway." is the first track off of girl in red’s forthcoming sophomore EP Chapter 2, which follows last year’s successful debut Chapter 1.

Singer-songwriter Adam Melchor turns heartbreak into a celebration with his newest single "Joyride." The poetically joyful meditation on moving on opens with a trumpet fanfare before paring down to Melchor’s clear vocals and simple acoustic strumming pattern that highlight the narrative quality of his lyrics. He analogizes the process of moving on to the loss of an old family car. Maybe it didn’t run as well as you wanted, but the memories related to it make it hard to let go. There is a mature clarity as he sings, “things were going our way / but they kept going until they were gone.” The nostalgic track leans towards remembering the good while embracing the reality of its departure. "Joyride" is the first single since Melchor’s sophomore EP release Plan on You, which came out earlier this year.

19-year-old, Philly-based Christinna O just released her debut album, Girl in Passing, and its stand-out track, “Don’t That Make You Mad,” calls out anyone who delights in watching others fail. The track is a smooth, grooving melody that shows off the young artist’s skills in R&B and poetry. A funky, jaded guitar riff and chilled-out tambourine taps introduce the song before Christinna O dives right into her title line—“I still find the beauty in it, don’t that make you mad?” Her message is clear from the beginning: success is the greatest revenge against someone who wants to see you fall. The compelling and catchy track reminds us not to waste our time worrying about what other people are doing. In the song, she wonders aloud, “what about your happiness?” before driving her point home with the line, “don’t you miss your own dream tripping over me.” Christinna O’s prowess as a spoken-word poet is evident in her lyricism (lines like “And I can be sweet with my tongue but I can draw blood if I want”) as well as her cadence, which builds and drops like a rollercoaster ride. In the end, she laughs off her critics with a repeated, “oh you mad, huh?” and lets us know that she’s not worried about anyone that’s worried about her.

The Wild Honey Pie is proud to premiere “Don’t Say Shit You Don’t Mean,” the newest track from Richmond-based Buzzsession alums and Larabar enthusiasts Camp Howard. Both precise and seemingly effortless, the track grooves with an intensely lazy energy. It’s a sound that should be sloppy, but this young band’s relentless performance schedule has trained them well. Camp Howard has, in many senses, broken out of their hometown—they toured nationally with the legendary Stone Temple Pilots—but they’re still rooted firmly in the Richmond scene, a scene whose support allowed them to forge their sound in the fires of the opportunity to (or perhaps struggle to) play shows every night of the week. Though evident from one song alone, the band’s versatility is truly unmistakable with perspective on their whole catalogue. Nic Perea, one of the bands two singers, occasionally pens lyrics in Spanish—and other band members admit to singing backup on lyrics they don’t pretend to understand—but “Don’t Say Shit You Don’t Mean” is as clear-cut and direct as they come. Weston Parker, the other lead vocalist and writer of the track, draws firm lines after issuing the titular command—“I won’t cook / You won’t clean,” he sings, delineating responsibilities definitively, before waffling a bit, expanding his lines to fit in his more complicated emotions. “After all this wasted time / It’s doubtful that you even care,” he sings hurriedly, but the infections groove puts complex emotions aside to reinforce the chorus: “It’s alright.” Camp Howard’s new album Cañón is out October 11th.

California native Ashe delivers supple, introspective songs, flush with lush imagery. The LA-based songstress has been on a winning streak since she dropped her debut in 2017 via Mom+Pop Music, building momentum with tours alongside The Chainsmokers, Shaun Frank, LAUV, Louis The Child, Hobo Johnson, Quinn XCII and executing notable electronica collaborations with Big Gigantic. Major advertising syncs and glowing press from The New York Times and Teen Vogue have only bolstered her indie cred. Her newest offering, the delicate acoustic affair "Cold in California," is a Dylan-esque ode to the love/hate relationship she's developed with her home state. The somber chord changes elicit the existential angst that accompanies those unwelcoming, overcast LA days. “I love California and I also despise it," Ashe told Ones to Watch earlier this month. "I’m from California and in many ways, this song is more about me than the place itself. Nothing is ever one-sided or perfect or right all the time." Check out the single here and be sure to peep the newest dates on Ashe's first headlining tour.