Following her 2023 global hit “Water,” South African songwriter Tyla has just released her self-titled debut album, combining African rhythms with English lyrics and R&B. The songs on the album switch between approach – like “Water” – and avoidance. In “Safer”, Tyla escapes from temptation. The song uses a drum beat and sparse, subterranean South African Amapiano bass lines as Tyla worries that “It seems too good to be true” and decides, “As much as I want you, I know it’s dangerous.” Call and response choral vocals transport the South African tradition into the electronic wilderness of 21st century romance. JON PALES
Olivia Rodrigo knows perfectly well how susceptible a young woman can be to physical attraction and good lines. With fast, pulsating new wave rock and breathtaking vocals, “So American” – from the extended version of her 2023 album Guts (Spilled) – sums up a guy with “hands that make hell feel cold” who “laughs at all my jokes and says I’m so American. For three crazy minutes, self-awareness is no match for pheromones. PARELE
Remi Wilk,Cinderella‘
Pop singer-songwriter Remi Wolf’s colorful charisma unfolds on “Cinderella,” the playful first single from her upcoming sophomore album Big Ideas, out July 12. Airy, funky and clearly depicting a triangle, “Cinderella” is a showcase for Wolf’s personality, occasional insecurities (“Is there something wrong with the way I’m designed?”) and wacky wordplay. “Like Cinderella making babies at the company’s expense,” she sings, turning the non sequitur into a catchy hook. “We’re making pennies out of paper, you better find some new slime.” LINDSAY ZOLADZ
March Ambrose,One night stand‘
Marsha Ambrosius, formerly of Floetry, fondly recalls a night of sensual excess that “seemed perfect.” Her delight is evoked by orchestral strings, jazz horns, a cooing backing chorus, polite but unexpected key changes and a burst of ecstatic scat singing – bliss translated into musical flourishes. PARELE
“What About the Children,” which sounds like the groundbreaking guitar sequel to Stevie Wonder’s “Living for the City,” appears on Texas bluesman Gary Clark Jr.’s new album Jpeg Raw. every edge of the blues. Wonder, who co-wrote the song, sings and plays harmonica as he and Clark reflect on the pressures and responsibilities of poor parents. Clark’s guitar riffs, jabs and wails, and he and Wonder scream together about “all the broken dreams.” PARELE
Alicia Keys featuring Maleah Joi Moon, “Kaleidoscope‘
In the new single from the musical “Hell’s Kitchen,” which debuts on Broadway next week, Alicia Keys duets with Maleah Joi Moon, the actress who plays Keys’ autobiographical alter ego, Ali. “Light it up, raise it in the air and let it out,” Keys sings, capturing the exuberance of youthful optimism. The song begins in a bright, minimalist pop register, but halfway through the song, Keys’ signature piano appears and gives the arrangement the feel of a Broadway show. ACORN
Two branches of Shell and FKA,Talk to me‘
“Talk to Me” is an authorized track released after London-based electronic duo Two Shell posted – and then removed – versions of the song on Bandcamp with vocals culled from recordings by Taylor Swift, BTS’ Jungkook, Chris Martin and Frank Ocean. The song rushes forward, rumbles and gallops as various notes and chords come and go, and FKA twigs sings non-stop about constantly choosing someone again, “even if I know you never pick up.” Her voice gets cut, bent and fused along with all the other sounds, but her fervor never wanes. PARELE
The music sounds absolutely joyful: major chords, a waltzing yet flexible beat, a supporting backing choir, augmented by orchestral strings. But Angélica Garcia sings “What is the Color of Pain?” in Spanish, and its sound references both Latin pop and Indian ghazal. “Even though I will never break the bonds with my pains/I paint them full of colors,” she declares, her voice confirming her determination to win. PARELE
“Four Tets”Repetition of dreams‘
Four Tet – electronic musician Kieran Hebden – likes to draw his sound from typical club beats. “Daydream Repeat” is dominated by sharp techno hi-hats and an insistent, syncopated bass line. But Hebden dominates with alternating sharply distorted scraping and fairy-tale harp plucking, making it clear that both noise and beauty are always at hand. PARELE
Shabaka featuring Floating Points and Laraaji, “I’ll do whatever you want‘
English saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings gained a reputation for hardcore jazz fusion in his bands Comet Is Coming and Sons of Kemet. But his next album, Perceive It Beauty, Acknowledge It Grace, turns to ambient. On this track, Hutchings plays flutes and whistle, accompanied by the vocals of ambient pioneer Laraaji and synthesizer Floating Points (Sam Shepherd), supported by a studio lineup that includes André 3000 on Teotihuacan drone flute (from ancient Mexico), Esperanza Spalding on bass and Marcus Gilmore on drums. “I’ll Do What You Want” is atmospheric, but very changeable. It begins with fuzzy electronics and fragments of flute melody that come together in a pulsing staccato, then dissolve and reconfigure with a bass riff and Laraaja’s effortless vocals. Hutchings remains reserved, directing the flow of events. PARELE
