The Chilean musician Stefan Elbl's eighth album 'Chungungo' hits with sharp riffs, Spanish-language urgency, and a fearless sense of movement between Quilpué and San Francisco. Some albums walk in politely. 'Chungungo' kicks the amp, fixes the cable, and starts moving before the room has settled. Stefan Elbl's eighth studio album comes loaded with guitars that bite, basslines that march like they have rent due, and...

The risk inside a good day gives Biernacki’s “Up & Down” its pulse. The Kraków songwriter and producer places a close vocal over piano, delicate percussion, bass and electronic detail, then lets the pressure collect rather than explode. This is polished alt-pop with a melancholic streak, built for the listener who knows that relief can sometimes make the mind start looking for the next thing...