Raquel Rodriguez has gifted us with sage advice in the most soothing way with her latest single, “Nobody Else.” This song is a love letter to self-care. It’s the perfect anthem for today’s trying times, as Raquel encourages her listeners to nurture their mental health. She has an everlasting gift for articulating the authentic human experience and transforming her lyrics into soulful hip-swaying jams. Sam Brawner’s production is clean, thoughtful and supportive of the track’s message. The drums hit home with funk flare and hints of 80s drum machine, which is a staple of the Blue Dream Studio sound. This track is the beginning of a cathartic new chapter for Raquel Rodriguez, as she prepares to release her next full album. Raquel is an artist who shows up for her community. During COVID times she has been a consistent source of strength and optimism, hosting high-quality live streams, and providing Q&A conversations with her collaborators. “Nobody Else” is a promising glimpse at what will be a heartfelt album full of hits.

Earlier this October, The Marías put out an extended version of their song "Loverboy" (alongside a live performance video) from their album Superclean, Vol. II. Now instead of having the same one minute track on loop, you can get caught up in four minutes of lead singer María's flittering murmurs of adoration. "Loverboy" is flushed with wistful production and sway-worthy vocals that are as dangerously sweet as they are hypnotic. The band founded by María and Josh Conway woo their listeners with a plush fusion of hazy jazz and bedroom pop—perfectly starry-eyed and trance-inducing. The song transports the listener to a long summer night that they wish would never end. You can transcend with them at one of their three residency shows in the Bay Area, all culminating with a New Years' Eve performance at the Swedish American Hall.

Berhana, aka Amain Berhane, teams up with South Korean artist Crush, on "I Been," a smooth-sailing track off Berhane's debut album HAN. The track bumps along easily as Berhane's voice paints a picture of someone that's been improving themselves to try and make things work with an estranged partner. He sings, "Give me a little time / And you can see that / That I been / Working on me / For you." Even though the terms of the end of the relationship are never stated directly, the universal desire for reconnection and starting fresh is apparent. An optimistic tone floods the sunny production of the track as both Berhana and Crush try to convince their ex-lover that they've changed for the better. "I Been" is an exciting multi-genre taste of what the Atlanta-born artist is capable of and can be experienced first-hand when the artist begins his US tour this November.

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.