The first encounter with Asta Bria’s new single, “Dragonfly,” is a calculated disorientation. For an artist who once cozied up to funk’s leisurely sway, this is a sharp turn onto a rain-slicked digital highway. The song’s intent for the dance floor is immediately apparent; a commanding, four-to-the-floor beat acts as a gravitational field, pinning you to the present moment. But hovering just above it...

Irie Keef, a vibrant new voice in the Afro-Caribbean music scene, has made an electrifying debut, fusing the energy of major music festivals from Miami to Jamaica into a unique auditory experience. Working closely with Dominican artist Nelly Stharre, Keef’s music ebbs and flows with the rhythm of the three languages she seamlessly blends French, Creole, and English. Drawing inspiration from the inimitable Staniski, Keef presents...