With the ease of Los Angeles in its veins coupled with a twinge of early Death Cab for Cutie sadness, LA's Small Forward new single "Tearjerker" is a stand out. "When you look me in the eyes what will you do?/ When you notice there is nothing to hold onto" frontman Michael Stevenson sings. "Tearjerker" recalls the ending of something that was once significant. Still the sadness, seems more directed to the way things are ending — the awkwardness of small talk and the realization of your part in the dissolution of it all. Then there's the self-reflection, "will there ever be one day that passes by that I will stay the same?" that will attempt to eat away at you. With lo-fi vocals and a mellow surf rock vibe, "Tearjerker" sounds like what happens when emo kids grow up. Still Small Forward shouldn't be put in a box, in past projects they've shown us their psych-pop side along with their folk and Americana influences. Wherever comes next for these guys, we're positive that we'll be on board. 

Henry Jamison is a storyteller at heart. It may be in his blood — his father, a classical composer, and his mother, an English professor — but Jamison is a writer and artist in his own right, evidenced by his debut album The Wilds (released October 27th). Beyond writing, recording and arranging the album all on his own, Jamison has a special ability to bring each track to life. Take his song, “The Wilds”: it’s instrumentally rich without being overbearing, letting Jamison’s narrative whisk you away. “The Wilds” sounds like an old-time American love story - unassuming and familiar, but nevertheless, still surprising.

Los Angeles genre-bending artist Moses Sumney released his gorgeous and ethereal debut album Aromanticism into the world this September. Sumney has made a big impression on artists like Solange and Sufjan Stevens for good reason. His infusion of soul and folk come together on this album in a way that leaves us begging for more. A prime example of this heavenly blend is found on the third song of the album, “Plastic.” A previous version of the song can be heard on the first season of Issa Rae’s HBO series, Insecure. This new version serves as one of the more simplistic songs on the album, featuring just a fingerpicked electric guitar, a synth and Sumney’s captivating voice. The hook of the song repeats the line “my wings are made of plastic,” each time sung in a slightly different way than it was before, continuing to imbue the phrase with new meaning. This song of vulnerability, self-awareness and secret-spilling is the kind that you can leave on repeat and get lost in for hours.