Well, Ricky Leroy Brown has gone and done it, presenting us with "SEXUAL MANUAL FOR EXPERTS," and I confess, the title alone sent my mind skittering off like a startled cat at a séance. This solo Madrileño, who conjures entire soundscapes from his own hands and instruments, is clearly still communing with the spirit of Prince, all slinky guitars and a rhythm section that...

Laru’s “Contra el Río” arrives with its shoulders up. The Spanish-language debut single uses a firm dembow groove and intense vocal delivery to meet the feeling of pushing ahead when life keeps adding weight. The companion video gives every pressure a face, object, or physical task. For anyone building a plan while bills, doubts, and other people’s demands crowd the frame, Laru has made a...