London singer-songwriter Allegra has returned with “Messed Up,” a reckless, adrenaline-fueled blast of Eurodance crafted for neon-lit 3 a.m. delirium. The track wastes zero time easing in, immediately locking into a driving, fast-paced rhythm that practically shoves you through the club doors. It captures that familiar, chaotic ritual of the weekend: the frantic pre-drinks, the electric blur of a crowded floor, a casual midnight...

The fastest pop songs arrive like a notification. Ben Lester’s self-titled debut does something more interesting: it lets the listener wait for the message to finish forming. Across 13 tracks for Mayfield Records, the London singer, songwriter, performer and producer turns patience into part of the pleasure. The result is indie pop with an arranger’s discipline, a record built for people who like a chorus but...