Matt Nation drops "April’s Fool," and I am instantly struck by the sheer exhaustion of loving a hologram. The Brooklyn-born, LA-based artist has a knack for dissolving the borders between alt-pop, R&B, and nu-disco, but here, he channels a soul-stirring pop-punk urgency through a laid-back, indie-pop filter. https://open.spotify.com/track/7rPHpg1lXMiQFFuuIX9ZT5 It is a strange, brilliant contrast. A melancholic chord loop cycles endlessly, creating a flowing foundation for Nation's...

Some tracks do not ask for your attention; they kick the door off the hinges and drag you along for the ride. "Sora" hits the ear with zero hesitation, dropping you straight into the middle of a high speed pursuit. There is no slow build, no gentle introduction, and absolutely no time to catch your breath. Itssmill captures the exact feeling of running late for something...