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1. Anohni and the Johnsons: “It Must Change”
Over the last decade, the emotional vocalist Anohni has created powerful solo music, with her most notable work being the political and poetic electronic album “Hopelessness” in 2016. Her new single “It Must Change” marks her first collaboration with backing band the Johnsons since 2010. This soulful, slinky, and subversive track demands respect, with Anohni singing, “The way you talk to me, it must change,” while acknowledging the constant fluidity of life. (Listen on YouTube)
2. Silvana Estrada: “Milagro y Desastre”
Thanks to music-critic Jon Pareles, we’ve come to know Mexican singer-songwriter Silvana Estrada. The winner of the best new artist at last year’s Latin Grammys, her songs are usually sparse, guitar-driven folk. “Milagro y Desastre,” however, is a unique departure, composed largely with looped and layered fragments of her own voice. The percussive notes that make up the rhythmic backbone, coupled with Estrada’s impassioned singing and distinct ear for melody, make this track exceptional. (Listen on YouTube)
3. Rob Moose featuring Phoebe Bridgers: “Wasted”
Rob Moose, a prolific string player and arranger for Bon Iver, Brittany Howard, and Phoebe Bridgers, is releasing an EP called “Inflorescence” on August 11. The EP features guest vocals from all the aforementioned artists, but one of our favorite tracks is “Wasted,” his collaboration with Bridgers. Moose’s anxiously plucked notes and graceful crescendos give Bridgers’ melancholic lyrics an almost cinematic feel. (Listen on YouTube)
4. Blur: “The Narcissist”
British band Blur returns with their first single in eight years. “The Narcissist” is a delightful push-and-pull between frontman Damon Albarn’s downcast deadpan and Graham Coxon’s upbeat harmony vocals, delivering that classic Blur sound. (Listen on YouTube)
5. Miya Folick, “Cockroach”
One of the more subdued songs on Los Angeles singer-songwriter Miya Folick’s sophomore album, “Roach,” “Cockroach” still showcases Folick’s unconventional style and her talent for crafting surprising, emotive lyrics. “You can’t kill me,” she declares, using the symbol of a cockroach to represent gritty resilience. (Listen on YouTube)
