There is a specific kind of melodic stride in Lana Crow’s new release, “Orwellian Times,” that reminds me, quite vividly, of the way people walk when they’re late for a meeting they know is going to be an absolute disaster. It is brisk, purposeful, and rhythmically catchy, yet underpinned by a distinct, vibrating anxiety. This British singer-songwriter has crafted a track that feels less...

Michellar’s new EP, “My Alma Latina,” arrived with the familiar, sinuous warmth of a Santana guitar riff but proceeds to map out an altogether different territory. This isn't just a collection of pop songs seasoned with Latin flair; it's a five-part spiritual field guide, an intimate log of a soul navigating a world that refuses to stand still. https://open.spotify.com/album/2rKpoVX8FJo2tbgSWw50v3?si=6y-Ot-Y7TKyd2tChEI5Jxg It begins with an earthy anxiety, a...