For those of you who knew Joe Keery before he became Steve Harrington, his stellar and innovative musicianship will be of no surprise. For those of you who didn't, let me introduce you to Djo (Keery's newest moniker). The first single released off of his debut album Twenty, Twenty was a gem named "Roddy"—a tune that you'll catch yourself grooving to immediately. Keery's voice floats effortlessly over the psychedelic instrumentation. Wanted or unwanted change can have a tumultuous effect, this is the story Keery shares: "We're ending retrograde / I told you mistakes were made / We're in retrograde." The single keeps your attention with often unexpected ornamentation and tasteful use of vocal effects. "Roddy" will surely be stuck in your head for days.

Brooklyn-based Kirsten Izer’s debut single of 2019, “One Year,” is a raw and evocative exploration of toxic love and lingering loss. The minimal arrangement consists only of a hazy electric guitar and Izer’s cool, smoky vocals, but its intimacy is what makes it powerful. Her sound’s moody, grunge-rock center relies on the emotion in her delivery, and Izer doesn’t disappoint. Dreamy layering effects amplify her impressive vocal range, drifting from dark and angst-ridden to light and ethereal quickly and easily. The lyrics, gripping and relatable, make plain the pain and longing of the instrumentation: “It’s our one year anni / But you don’t love me / You were never one for vulnerability.” The stripped arrangement allows you to focus on the lyrics, honest and heartbreaking, and lose yourself in the song’s lush dreamscape of sounds. “One Year” is hauntingly lovely.

Soccer Mommy’s Sophie Allison explores her dark side with new single “lucy.” The title nods to the devil himself, but instead of admiring the evil as she has in the past, Allison seems warier this time as she sings “He'll touch you and burn you / And break you down to your core / Succumbing to evil / I thought I was something more.” The guitar on this track is a little sharper and off-kilter than what we have heard from Soccer Mommy in the past, but it still fits within the sound they’ve cultivated. Allison’s slightly disinterested tone pairs well with with the chorus as she somberly begs, “oh lucy please / quit taunting me.” It sounds like she may have already given into lucy albeit reluctantly. “Lucy” is the perfect next step in Soccer Mommy’s constant progression towards a heavier sound.

“My Girl,” the newest single from Scotland-based indie-pop duo ST.MARTiiNS, is easygoing and smooth. With a catchy melody and a nice, breezy groove, the track is the definition of chill vibes. Muffled percussion helps the song feel comfortable and close, reminiscent of loose dancing in a tight space with somebody you love. A psychedelic bass sets the beat while cool, wavy guitars lower the lights, casting the arrangement in a dreamy, atmospheric glow. Clear production accentuates vocalist Katie Lynch’s unique, velvety vocals as she sings about the ups and downs of female friendships. “My girl” is luscious and fun—the perfect track to help you transition from summer to fall.

Chicago rock band, The Evening Attraction dropped a timeless tune influenced by the classic ballads of Jeff Lynne and Roy Orbison. "It's hidden in the details of the universe / I read it in the story of a lovers curse / Your beauty is the magic of a God's design / Spend a million years just trying to make you mine". It's often hard to explain the powerful love you feel for another person. This is the story that inspired vocalist, Miles Malin's croons in "Something Bout It". Beyond the romance, the single features memorable harmonies, an irresistibly groovy bassline and a majestic string section from Ohmme's Macie Stewart. This the best yet from The Evening Attraction.

NYC-based singer-songwriter Murielle is choosing to put herself first with "Felt Cute (Might Delete Later)," a self-love hymn she describes as her "reclamation." By invoking a meme in the title typically used to shame confident women on social media, Murielle reclaims the joke for herself, shattering the notion that women should be humble or coy about their looks. Featuring cadenced production by Swami Sound, the track fuses world music with pop-R&B synths and atmospheric elements, such as birds chirping to mimic the start of a new day, one that has her "feeling some type of way." Ambient harmonies further the anthemic quality of the song, as she makes a simple, yet revolutionary choice to "give her [ego] a twirl" even if she "didn't get laid / No, I didn't get paid." The music video features Murielle in various rooms of an empty building with a group of double-duty background dancers and admirers. The satisfaction of asserting her confidence, "Something that I worked for," is a feeling well-earned.