SLAPPER’s latest instrumental single, "We Kept The Night," hits the nervous system like a sudden memory of a teenage curfew completely ignored. Created by solo artist Claudiu-Gabriel Tache, the Romanian electronic project weaves an energetic, neon-tinted atmosphere that entirely bypasses the brain and aims straight for your heartbeat. https://open.spotify.com/album/1ViBUUSpof7UkZSeG3yiFA?si=aGe4DzAbRm627r-Gwjhv3Q The melody is intensely bright. Bouncy, rapidly played ascending and descending notes dance relentlessly over a steady,...

The fastest pop songs arrive like a notification. Ben Lester’s self-titled debut does something more interesting: it lets the listener wait for the message to finish forming. Across 13 tracks for Mayfield Records, the London singer, songwriter, performer and producer turns patience into part of the pleasure. The result is indie pop with an arranger’s discipline, a record built for people who like a chorus but...