The introduction track to Samia’s debut record The Baby, the original version of "Pool" is a beautifully expansive song. Samia explores a fleeting intimacy, the song bubbling up as more questions come pouring out. With his contribution to The Baby Reimagined, Bartees Strange dials up both the expansiveness and the intimate tone. The intro and first verse deliver an extremely personal moment, so raw, driven by clean acoustic guitars and Strange’s stunning and gentle tone. The two fit hand in hand. Just after the minute mark the song blossoms. Powerful chords extend out like beams of light shooting into the sky while drums push the song onward underneath. Strange stays steady; a rock amidst the chaos, his voice is something to cling to. But, as we turn to the outro, the intensity and building passion overflows. The questions come pouring out again as the effects on the vocals give it a harsh edge, an edge that puts the visceral emotion of the moment front and center. “Is it too much to ask?” the refrain repeats over and over, and both Samia and Strange just want to know how long these moments will last, a question set in the assumption that they can’t. The two seem to be hoping that this awareness can empower them, keep them present in some way. It’s a feeling we all experience, a feeling anyone can, proven as both Strange and Samia fill this song with their own style and authenticity. But as the questions get harder, so do the emotions (and in this case, the music). All we can do is try to appreciate what we have when we have it, floating in that pool. Photo by Jessica DiMento.

The Baby Reimagined, featuring covers of Samia's debut record by artists such as Bartees Strange, Anjimile, Donna Missal and more, was released via Grand Jury Music on January 15. 

From Kansas City, Missouri comes the graceful work of L.A. Chaí through his debut single, “Burn for You.” Gentle is the voice of frontman, Andrew Bergthold, who penned and produced the piece while cultivating what is now a commendable solo act. Conceptualized during a playful conversation about the immeasurable genius of angel-city-lattes, L.A. Chaí promises to satiate with easy listening, compassionate meditations and loving serenades. 

I blasted “Burn for You” while driving by a violet winter sunset and all I could think about was the striking congruence between song and scene. Bergthold “sends all of [his] love” via sparkling bells and atmospheric guitar as he charms his listeners with evidence that this vast galaxy is home to twin flames. It sounds like the magic hour that love so resembles. Photo by Levi Dalton.

Whirling with echoes of crowded celebrations of yore, Francesca Blanchard’s “new year’s in paris” emits the essence of a glass sphere; it includes this sense of wholeness, as well as transience in the spirit of self-restoration. Coming from a space of hibernation, Blanchard’s voice rings out with a clearness that pierces through all of the delicacies of loneliness and leads into a full sound of crowds cheering, synths roving and strings billowing. This track is one of yearning and the acceptance of loss. With lyrics like “I had a dream, our kids on the lawn and your mother loving me like her own," this song touches on the deep cut of desiring so badly for someone to come for you, to share the intimate details of life with someone who may never show up. Blanchard shared: “It goes out to anyone who’s gone through heartbreak this past year, in a time where human contact was out of reach. Here’s to healing late, but right on time." Photo by Maví Lou.

The latest single from Charlottesville, VA trio Stray Fossa lays the drums and effects on heavy for an atmospheric and propulsive track from their forthcoming debut album With You For Ever. "Orange Days" bends genres as it goes; one can hear dashes of new wave and psychedelic amidst its dream pop landscape. Fans of Tame Impala will appreciate the phaser-laden guitars and ample reverb that recalls Tame’s beloved Lonerism. Over the booming and uptempo drum beat, singer Will Evans anxiously ponders the future. “My sun'll rise, and I know it's not much longer now,” he sings. “Somewhere begins a future, a stranger to ourselves.” The uncertainty of the lyrics, often delivered in spectral layers, mixes with a soundscape that likewise expresses a sense of unease as guitar and bass lines take unexpected turns. The end result is a song that successfully merges genres and sounds to a haunting and head-banging effect. Photo by Anita Richardson. 

On "Paper in the Sky," Australian singer-songwriter Portair challenges convention in the details: a pattering hollow drum, strings suspended in water, full piano chords that draw contrast against his delicate vocals. While these sounds are unique and lush, Portair balances more inquisitive elements with a foot-stomping folk backbone that gives the track its homey, comforting sensibility. Laced with childhood nostalgia, "Paper in the Sky" calls to mind the adventures on which our youthful imaginations used to take us. Concrete images of raindrop races on car windows and model trains evoke visceral memories of a time when things were much simpler, when it didn't seem so difficult to find simple joy or excitement in the world. But instead of dwelling on innocence lost, Portair seeks to reclaim it; sending off all the most structured, restrictive and harrowing parts of the reality we know into a symbolic paper plane, there's nothing left but to "watch the paper in the sky float." Photo by Ashley Osborn. 

Kylie V’s "Natural" twirls and dances around intimacy in a way so earnest and honest, it almost breaks your heart. Their voice drops words like pebbles in a pond, rippling out before sinking in deep and out of sight. “I’m not a provider, I just wanna feed you,” they sing. The hook delicately touches on one of the most beautiful and intangible parts of love. It’s so enigmatic. Love never demands you to be anything but what you are; however, it often asks you, politely but insistently, to keep growing. It doesn’t shrink behind insecurity, even though you might. Love delights in vulnerability, taking in as eagerly as it gives. It’s strong and intimidating, and it takes time to learn how to conduct it. "Natural" sits right at the heart of that feeling, overwhelmed by the impulse to keep one hand held tight, and the other grounded on a door handle. Rhythm guitar lines ebb and flow as the lyrics tug between the fear of feeding someone else until you’re empty and the fear of letting them feed you back. The fear that you’ll take too long to get it right tends to linger at the back of your throat like something sweet and burnt. But you love them so much that of course you would try to figure out how to love them best. It’s almost too much to consider how you would begin to trust them to do the same for you, though. It feels safer to let yourself get wrapped up in the tide of feelings you’re experiencing, ready to climb out of the river when the current pushes you back to the banks. It’s a heart-wrenching feeling, but a delightful taste of what’s to come with Kylie V’s debut album, Big Blue, due February 28th. Photo by Lauren Ray.

A soft strummed acoustic guitar introduces “Find You," the beautiful brand new single from The Heatlamps. Released on Valentine’s Day, this tender song serves as a meditation on the hope of finding and finally being with an ever-elusive love. 

The verses build slowly as arpeggiated guitars and solemn-sounding piano chords express a feeling of longing. However, this is beautifully juxtaposed with a sense of trusting that things will eventually fall into place, even if a little patience is required. The L.A. duo, consisting of Bo Jacobson and Louis Weeks, capture these conflicting emotions in a captivating manner as they sing “Maybe someday we won’t be waiting for another tomorrow / It’ll be our time," followed by “Show me the way / All I wanna do is find you." The song ends with an angelic swirl of noise made by guitars, pianos, synths and ghostly vocals, bringing it all to a reassuring conclusion.

Whether you are alone and looking for someone, you’ve found the one or aren’t really interested, this song will definitely get you in your feelings.