The second you hit play, you know exactly what kind of energy you are dealing with. It is the sonic equivalent of rolling your eyes at someone who just tried to explain your own job to you. The guitars kick in with a sarcastic bite, and the drums immediately set a pace that refuses to slow down for anyone. This is the sound of pure,...

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...