Music has the potential to foster insight to an artist’s thought processes, dialogue, and even their stage personas with an accompanying narrative for context. Concept albums are especially good at this with their tracks directly tying into each other musically and thematically. Most musicians get into this kind of musical storytelling after experimenting with a particular type of sound. For Al Heaney, that sound has always been classic and pop-rock from the 50s through the 70s.

Moments of pop explosion give way to irresistible melodies in the latest single from Chicago band The Mild West. Members Kylie Bruetman, Aaron Gordon, Dan Overstreet, Tyler Vandenberg, and Zack Wheeler create irresistible tracks that stick. This tendency is no more evident than in their latest single, “Rendezvous.”

With a track title like “Si Tu Te Vas,” one may assume that Dominican-born musician Jochy Saldivar wrote a musical poem about a relationship coming to an end with someone he once loved exiting his life. This would make sense, as “si tu te vas” translates to “if you go.” However, as we become musically acquainted with Saldivar’s newest project as partywatcher, we learn that the “you” the title refers to is none other than himself, and is part of a much larger narrative.

“Chance” by Hayley Kiyoko is the song that I wish my fifteen-year-old self had growing up. The music video’s dreamlike depictions of candid, pure interactions instantly made me think of nostalgic ‘boy meets girl’ rom-coms—but the vital difference is that it’s girl meets girl.

With the release of her debut EP “In Free Fall,” Hauser created a VR experience to pair with her collection of songs. The exhibition of artwork, music videos, and the songs themselves signaled an emphasis on presentation, especially during a year when live presentations and exhibitions were not possible.

Album opener and lead single “BUZZCUT (Feat. Danny Brown)” is a gonzo, Outkast-esque dose of pure energy. As sirens and warbly synths pulse in the background, 808s and snares pummel your ears with fervor.

“Ghost” feels like a track that should be a staple for the summer. It might be about the pandemic and the loneliness felt by many of the past year, but Gates delivers this narrative through delightful synths, washed out vocals, and an incredible bouncy hook.

A year ago, during his junior year at Endicott College, Boston native Jake Elijah was studying abroad, making his way through the streets of Athens to his classical music course at the American College of Greece (ACG). Jake’s commitment to the program wasn’t his first visit to Greece, though.

What do you think of when you hear the word “Jazzcat”? Do you think of two separate things: jazz and cats? Or maybe a really slick cat playing some funky jazz tunes? For me, it’s the latter, and I think psychedelic funk artist George Arthur Calendar—aka GAC—is somewhere along those lines as well.

When I hear a Glded song, all I can think about is slow drone shots over a wooded forest, giving way to a rocky coastline and frothy waves. As picturesque as these songs seem, there is something deeply ephemeral about them as well, something more spiritualistic than the aforementioned folk-adjacent artists.

“Homeschool: Book 1” is the first installment in what D’Agustino hopes to be a series of EPs. To accompany the EPs, he’s planning on publishing physical concept books that hold everything from inspirations, journal entries, drafts of lyrics, and artworks made specifically for this project.

Opening your debut project with a song titled “Fuck Boy” is a statement; no matter what. For Frankii Davis, it is that much more impressive. As soon as the song starts, you’re already sold by the concept alone. It doesn’t hurt that the song itself is ridiculously smooth with buttery synth pads and backup vocals adorning the opening few seconds before Davis pops onto the track.

I think life is motivation. I draw motivation from the things around me [and obviously the things I've been through]. I'm constantly putting myself in other people's shoes, I'm constantly trying to see things from every possible perspective—it humbles me.

“To Taste The Divine” is an exploration and expression of internalized fears, thoughts, and questions of someone who is an immigrant and minority. As Mon Rovîa states in the description, the record “is about assimilation and fitting into a culture we were never made to fit into.” The dinosaur of light that they fight in the music video is a representation of society and culture that wants to dominate and control.

Now, Woods moves on with her own solo project, E. Woods, and has teamed up with the Rosebud label. Allday’s Marcus Reese produced her second single, “BUGGIN,” in anticipation for her debut EP, “Late Night.”

In honor of International Women’s Day, Winona Oak teamed up with fellow female powerhouse ELIO—a Welsh Candadian musician who fuses electronica with bedroom pop—to create a track that tackles the fears of not being seen and rejected for who you are.

The Cincinnati native Darity teamed up with Young Ritual for her newest song, “Six Feet.” If you’re new to Darity, you’re in for a treat. My favorite musicians are always the ones who navigate their craft from a fluid approach.

For lead guitarist Dale Price, “Always” speaks to how he copes with self-comparison; “it takes a lot of vulnerability just to have faith,” Price said. “‘Always’ tells you that you’re what’s holding you back. You’re not doing yourself any favors by constantly comparing.”

Art made in troubling times must strike a delicate balance between relevance and exploitation. Is it gauche to make something that reflects how we all feel during an inescapable strife? Is commentary needed when we are all living the same frustrations?

Russian electronic music artist Biicla remixed “Hurting on Purpose” from Los Angeles-based artist and producer Whethan’s 2020 album “Fantasy.” The original track features K.Flay on vocals with Whethan producing, and is a chilled out, heart-filled mix of recognizable instruments like guitar and drums combined with synthesizer beats layered in.