Okay, let's pretend the universe coughed up "All the Christmas Lights." Not literally, of course, though I did find a sparkly rock in my pocket this morning – probably unrelated. This single by Eric Harmsen, straight outta Alpine, manages to feel both like a familiar, cozy sweater and a strangely uncharted territory. https://open.spotify.com/album/422cieMEcXDGkGRXvKa058 The music… it’s less jingle bell rock and more like a snow globe...

There’s a strange and lovely tension in "My Ears Are Attentive" from Glory Company, a sensation akin to watching a storm gather over a placid lake. Husband-and-wife duo Matthew and Pearl Nagy have built a vessel of spacious synths and contemplative pop, yet beneath the surface, there’s a current pulling you under with an undeniable, almost danceable, rhythm. It's an odd invitation to move...