There’s a curious sort of old-soul gravity to Amelina’s single, “Step by Step,” one that defies the pop-rock sheen and the artist’s young age. The track opens with a resolute, almost stern, string and piano line that feels less like an invitation to a party and more like the sound of someone tying their shoelaces before a long journey. This is the sound of...

There is a specific kind of exhaustion that comes from scrolling through endless bad news. It is a heavy, static feeling that makes it hard to care about anything. Then a track like "I Will Follow" hits your speakers and suddenly the air feels a little lighter. Jacob Chacko has managed to capture that exact moment when you decide to stop doom scrolling and actually...