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...

Lisha Tahrea’s new single, “Momentum,” does something quite clever with its rhythm. It doesn't just play; it seems to breathe, pulling you into its warm, afro-fusion haze before you’ve even noticed your feet are stuck to the floor. The beat has that beautiful, cyclical quality of things that are both nourishing and dangerous, like a rip current or a second piece of cake. https://open.spotify.com/track/43PVyDFQf2CKwkAKe8RQZW?si=177b6b17f8f54347 This is...