Runnner’s latest release, “Ur Name on a Grain of Rice," is a melancholic but self-aware confessional that sweeps across the part of your chest reserved for heartbreak. This LA-based, seven-member ensemble could have walked straight out of the indie-folk scene of 2009, harkening back to the glory days of Dr.Dog, Iron and Wine, and Death Cab for Cutie’s acoustics. Sloping, winding vocals, reminiscent of Andy Shauf, are stretched over the steady pulse of the drumline and the chirping twang of a banjo. Met with the powerful swell of sax, horns, and vocal harmonies (including Helen from Skullcrusher), the layers build gradually over the length of this mesmerizing five-minute track and culminate in a euphony of textures, the singer repeating almost defiantly “I’m shouting it now, cos I can’t write it down, I’m letting it pour out the sides of my mouth.” With cutting observations like “I can’t stand to be alone, because it’s so easy to ignore me,” there is more than just yearning to the lyrics, there’s humility as well, underlining the all too familiar duality of doubt and desire. “Ur Name on a Grain of Rice” is a lush track that reminds us of the ways love teaches us personal growth; It’s something we want to deserve, but maybe aren’t ready to yet.

From the outset of her debut EP in 2018, Ellis’ strengths as a purveyor of plaintive, perfectly-paced dream-pop tracks were evident. These strengths have been sharpened to a fine point on new track “Fall Apart," the first single from her forthcoming debut album via Fat Possum Records, Born Again. “Fall Apart” starts with a seemingly sweet story of Ellis listening to her favorite songs with a companion, but it becomes increasingly clear throughout the track that she’s in the midst of emotional turmoil. The strength of her songwriting is matched by her delivery—rather than adopt a self-deprecating tone, Ellis sounds apologetic and remorseful, mimicking the all-too-human compulsion to compound our misery with the thought that we’re being a burden to those we love. When the second chorus rolls around and the instrumentation builds to a crescendo, it’s natural to think her voice will follow suit. Instead, she stops the refrain of “I didn’t mean to fall apart” at the penultimate word, letting her voice slowly trail off as the instrumentation swallows the sound of her lamentations completely. This idea is brilliantly executed, and her delivery of that final line will stick with you long after the song has finished.

Aaron Maine, AKA Porches, is back with an emotional, swoon-worthy new track fit for late nights and the last dance. “Do U Wanna” is catchy and cool with a soft, sweeping melody that revels in the disparity between how people want to act and how they actually act. That disparity is mirrored in the arrangement, which combines intimate elements like atmospheric synths and Maine’s lovely vocal with grander, more distinct percussive sounds to exemplify the perception of joy. The instrumentation is easy-going and surprising, with a nostalgic, 90s-inspired bass and reverberating cowbell sound adding fun and whimsy to a song that, lyrically, veers in a much heavier direction, including the lines “I just wanna watch you live / But I never wanna do anything.” The clear, reverberating production gives the track a dreamy, weightless feel, and solidifies “Do U Wanna” as one of Porches’ best songs ever. Stay tuned for his new album, Ricky Music, due out in March from Domino Records.

Today, Berkeley folk artist Maya Elise premieres her newest song, “Side of the Road.” The track tells the story of a summer road trip, which makes it especially fitting that it’s perfect for singing along with. In the first verse, as Maya describes all the people she is picking up along the way, her rich vocals fill every crack between guitar and drums with a friendly warmth. Though she gives us only a few details on each person she meets, you can almost see each of their faces: the woman in Portland making jasmine tea, the Washington man she learned to trust, the brave woman from Alabama, and the South Dakota man looking for a home all look somewhat familiar. The song gradually builds to a transcendent scene in which the car full of new friends go skinny-dipping in the Atlantic Ocean, perhaps the ultimate symbol of the trust they have built along the way. On “Side of the Road,” Maya reminds us that making friends doesn’t have to be as complicated or awkward as we often make it out to be. Sometimes all it takes is two people going in the same direction and choosing to not be alone. The rest, perhaps, will figure itself out.

In 2017, the 5 member group Easy Life was born in Leicester, UK and they’ve been gifting us alternative r&b grooves ever since. Their newest mixtape Junk Food is full of hitters, but “Sangria” stands out in particular with its feature from our beloved vocalist and poet, UK-based Arlo Parks. By combining the vocals of Parks and lead singer Murray Matravers, “Sangria” takes the listener to lyrical places of confession and awareness of a dependent relationship. Smart and silken lines describe the nature of the relationship as “euphoric but unbalanced / like two top-heavy fractions,” revealing that the singer is aware of the turbulent state of their relationship, but continues to linger in it for the highs. With mellow production driven heavily by steady bass, Easy Life brings a fresh sound to your typical song about troubled love.

With their long musical hiatus finally over, London band Bombay Bicycle Club brings us back to days of nostalgic indie with their latest album Everything Else Has Gone Wrong. After a barrage of singles like “Eat, Sleep, Wake (Nothing But You)” and “Racing Stripes,” the band released their fifth studio album this past January. Included in the mix is the track “Let You Go,” a somber song that bleeds for the end of a relationship–the act of letting go of someone you once loved. The future of the lovers is eminent, holding on to one last try as singer Jack Steadman croons, “Well, can we stay here longer? / Burn our embers down / Glowing bright for one last moment / Just to fade somehow,” as if this last attempt will surely change nothing. Then the production builds into a distinguished Bombay Bicycle Club bridge full of yearning vocals, longing, and loss–perfect for your indie romance montage scene or reliving emotions of a relationship long gone.

Juliana Ronderos and Nicolas Losada are the two geniuses behind the Brooklyn-based band Salt Cathedral. The two both grew up in Colombia, but met while studying at Berklee School of Music. Now, the duo provides us with hits like their most recent release “Te Quiero Olvidar.” Soaked in a light, breezy production and backed with a catchy drum kit and tropical dance-inspired rhythms, Ronderos tells a story of one-sided love and the attempt to break off all contact with that person for her own sanity. While it’s hard enough to leave the life of someone you love, it’s even more difficult if that person keeps lingering around. “Te Quiero Olvidar” is a catchy track full of reliable frustration and impending liberation. In anticipation of Salt Cathedral’s first full-length album release this April, you can check out their other singles like “CAVIAR” and “tus ojos.” You can also catch them at Welcome Campers this year!

Trading in bitterness for joy has never been better encompassed than by Oh Wonder's new track "Happy," the fourth single leading up to their third record, No One Else Can Wear Your Crown. "It's good to see you loved / Let's call it even," they sing in earnest, echoing the levity of true release. The London-based duo, composed of Anthony West and Josephine Vander Gucht, wrote the track in response to West's ex-girlfriend getting married. “I saw a picture of her in her wedding dress and I was like, ‘Wow, what a feeling,'" said West. "[It’s] so cool that she’s met someone else because I could never be the guy next to her.” That epiphanic moment of knowing they're better off without you translates into peace with oneself with ease. No One Else Can Wear Your Crown is due for a February 7 release via Republic Records.