This track 'Blue Honey' hits with the bracing impact of a slushy projectile hurled directly at your jaw. From the very first chord, Conor Maradona grabs your attention and refuses to let go, establishing an immediate, undeniable vibe. It is the sound of someone who has stopped trying to impress the cool kids and decided to just throw a party for the misfits instead. You...

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...