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...

Jane Marie enlists the help of Jessica Mia to deliver the private journey promised by the title "Home"—an experience that listeners can only imagine. The symbolic connection of love to the sensation of "coming home" gives the lyrics a nostalgic and accessible quality, as heard in the song. This imagery paints a picture of a welcoming, familiar place, which indicates that the journey of emotions the...