A Project Called Love just dropped the new single "Chance Encounter," and I’ve been letting its surprisingly anxious rhythm bounce around my skull all afternoon. Jay Hope, the musician handling songwriting, vocals, guitar, and bass for this solo venture, splits his life between the sun-bleached shores of Venice, California, and the concrete lines of Cologne, Germany. Usually deeply rooted in the punk and grunge...

Cat Mayel's "FREE" arrived, not on a silver platter, but more like a rogue pigeon delivering a very important message – a crumpled napkin with profound scribbles. This Nigerian producer, composer, arranger, and all-around sonic sorceress has served up a single dose of alternative neo-soul that feels… well, free. As free as a shopping cart with a wonky wheel, anyway. It goes where it...