The new EP from LA-based Scarypoolparty (solo project of Alejandro Aranda), Doom Hologram, opens with “Return2Sender”—the first of an eight-track story, meant to be played in order. Lingering just under five minutes, “Return2Sender” encapsulates the feeling of watching raindrops roll down the window, as golden candlelight flickers and once-fresh flowers on the table slowly wither away. Throughout the ethereal track, the scent of broken promises is as fragrant as wilting roses, leaving the listener to once again taste the words they wish they’d said to someone (“You take my words and break me down / I wrote you letters just to say ‘I love you’ / And now I know that you would tear them all apart”). The track allows Aranda, an American Idol alum, to flex his pop sensibilities and brings to mind the exact inspirations referenced in the release’s press statement—that he “channels the prodigious dexterity of John Mayer overlaid with the ethereal pop of The 1975.” Aranda’s hurt is undeniably palpable, and this candor is the heartbeat that drives the song through its melodic turns and an aching acoustic interlude. But, as great art is so often made, Aranda turned heartache into a glowing and visceral connection with his listeners — and one they won’t soon forget. Photo by Nicole Busch.

Imagine you’re in a cabin in the woods, cozy by the fire while a snowstorm rages on outside. The light is low, the atmosphere is intimate, and you’re overcome by a sense of longing you can’t quite place. This is the vibe conjured up by Loving’s new single “Only She Knows,” a lo-fi, psychedelic dream that’s as pleasing as the crackle of an old but reliable record player. The track is reminiscent of a slightly darker Whitney, with soft, wispy vocals and heavy reverb that gives the classical piano an almost ghostly presence. Dreamy synths and strangely seductive guitar lines make for a lush, hypnotic soundscape you can get lost in, while the crisp production makes apparent Loving’s appreciation for analog equipment. Nostalgic and lovely, “Only She Knows” is the perfect song for cold weather or a rainy day.

Hana Vu wanders further into her bedroom-pop world both sonically and physically with her newest single, “Outside.” The track opens with dreamy synths before the guitar and Vu’s vocals chime in simultaneously as she sings, “And I really wanna wake up / but there’s nothing to wake up to.” The plucked guitar riff perfectly balances out Vu’s droning and smooth voice with her unique throaty tone. She breaks from the calmness and almost reaches anger as she belts the second chorus for emphasis. The structure of the song is simple; she repeats the chorus and pre-chorus twice with a single-lined bridge thrown in the middle for good measure. This repetition further cements the monotony of loneliness the 19-year-old indie-pop artist is demonstrating. That being said, the track itself is never monotonous—finding interests in small swells and layered synths. It’s cyclical like depression and loneliness. Sometimes it’s hard to get out of bed. Sometimes it’s easier just to look at your phone all day. “Outside” is the latest single from Vu’s upcoming double EP Nicole Kidman / Anne Hathaway out on October 25.

The silvery vocals of Tei Shi and the iconic production style of Blood Orange bless recently released track "Even If It Hurts." The two artists, known as Valerie Teicher and Devonte Hynes respectively, previously worked together on "Hope" off Hynes' album Negro Swan. Now they've teamed up again on this starry-eyed synth song that implores for communication and honesty. Although the track is smooth and easy on the ears, wrapped up in the lyrics are two people trying to identify what the other wants from their ambiguous relationship. Desire permeates the vocals, both parties are willing to risk it all to have the other person wholly, but there's something stopping them from letting go. We might yearn and even love another person, but at the precipice of a relationship, growth requires action. "Even If It Hurts" explores what feels to be common ground in many relationships through something that straddles the line of melancholy and bliss. Look out for Teicher's new album La Linda out November 15 and Hynes' classical LP Fields due this October.

London artist beabadoobee pays homage to Pavement’s frontman with her new single “I Wish I Was Stephen Malkmus.” The inspiration doesn’t stop with the name drop, seeping into the production with buzzy guitar tones. The song takes eighteen-year-old Bea Kristi a little further from the bedroom pop label she gained through her first two EPs, launching her into the realm of therapeutic alt-rock. It’s harder, hazier, and proves that Gen Z is just as obsessed with the 90s as Millenials are. Kristi sings, “I sit at home, cry to Pavement / I wish I was Stephen Malkmus.” As much as it is a nod to the 90s, it also touches on Kristi’s affinity for change and individuality—which can be isolating, but she doesn’t seem too upset about it. She mentions her blue hair six times in four minutes, singing, “got new hair, a new phase / I’m from outer space / and I’m pretty sure I’ll get used to it.” Beabadoobee will release her new EP Space Cadet on October 18 via Dirty Hit Records.

Y La Bamba, a Portland-based band led by Luz Elena Mendoza, exemplifies yet again their prowess as a multi-faceted group on their latest EP Entre Los Dos. Mendoza actively explored identity on their full-length album Mujeres earlier this year and is now delving deeper into existing between two entities and all the nuances that follow. "Las Platicas" off the new EP begins with an airy guitar riff that quickly morphs into lo-fi folk loaded with energetic vocals and a tone of a reclaiming of self. Mendoza spares no time for negative talk in her life and holds strong against those with nothing positive to bring to the table. Y La Bamba's narrative journey continues to show rapid growth—exploring different sounds and sentiments in less than one year. They wrap up their tour this October so make sure to catch them while you can!

Float through space and time in the dark daydream that is “Otherworld,” the hypnotic debut single from LA-based indie artist INSDR. Immediate and atmospheric, the track is a nostalgic slow jam with soft, pulsing momentum. It opens on a quiet inquisition: “What planet are you from?” Then muffled, pumping percussion and spacey keys set the scene and evoke a certain sense of mystery as the questions continue. “Are you on a mission? / Are you made of light?” The vocals are hushed and sweet, giving the string of questions a sense of alien innocence and wonderment. Suddenly, like INDSR, we feel like we too must pay close attention to figure this person out. As the instrumentation builds, the arrangement remains close and clear with a distant sort of urgency, like staying in the moment with this person is all that matters. Elements of sci-fi and psychedelia are weaved tastefully throughout the song, with groovy, Radiohead-like guitar and sonic elements that give a nod to 90s electronica. Ultimately, “Otherworld” speaks for itself: you’ve never heard anything like it before. It’s the first single from an upcoming EP by INSDR, the solo project of Sure Sure band member Charlie Glick. Glick and fellow bandmate Mike Coleman are mixing the EP, set to be released later this year.

In addition to recent singles like "It Nan" and "Jalisco," UK-based band Babeheaven has dropped their newest release titled "God Sent the Baby." The track opens with delicate strings and quickly fuses into a deep, pulsing rhythm that carries the song from start to finish. Frontwoman Nancy Andersen croons out honeyed vocals with lyrics that are as heavy and as deeply personal as the title suggests. Her voice puts the listener in a trance, readying us to fall deeper and deeper into the universe that Babeheaven creates. Obvious care for the track comes through in the atmospheric production that calls back to a late '90s style trip-hop reminiscent of Air and Massive Attack, all while maintaining the band's rising enigmatic sound. "God Sent the Baby" is a soul-bearing single that displays the range that Babeheaven always brings to the table. You can catch the band consisting of Andersen, Hugo McGuire, Ned Smith, and Luca Mantero on tour in Europe starting on October 23.