The opening guitar on Los Angeles-based duo Junaco’s latest single “Blue Room” is enough to instantly transport you to the seaside in your mind, even before the undulating and exquisite vocals of singer-songwriter Shahana Jaffer take hold. Accompanied by bandmate Joey LaRosa as well as Omar Velasco on lead guitar, Jaffer sings of the clouds of dawn and orange afternoons, coaxing us into a dreamworld while simultaneously instructing us not to “forget the ground below [our] feet.” This is a tall order in the context of a song like “Blue Room,” with its lush and lullaby-like oceanic instrumentals relaxing us out of our bodies and into our dreams. It seems almost a tease, telling us to stay grounded until we remember that to merge these two ways of being is the goal—to envision a “great escape” while embracing the awe and wonder of the beauty of our world. In meditation, we are asked to take note of our bodies while exploring our minds, freeing both from judgment in the present moment. “Blue Room” is a meditation on the merging of our dreams and our reality, encouraging us to stay present and appreciate all that we encounter in our earthly lives, while also allowing ourselves to dream. “Blue Room” is a lullaby and a wake-up call rolled into one.

“Blue Room” was produced by James McAlister (who has collaborated extensively with Sufjan Stevens and more recently, Taylor Swift), and was released on Side Hustle Records. As stunning and soothing as the auditory experience of “Blue Room” is the plant-filled sunlit slice of paradise depicted in the artwork accompanying the single. The image is a still from a virtual reality created by 3D artist Hyoyon Paik, who has said the song inspired “a virtual paradise where the plants dance, the sunlight reaches every corner, and lights glitter on the water.” At a time when so many of us are longing to escape to another dimension and would love to bask in a peaceful paradise, Paik’s virtual visuals and Junaco's soothing sounds invite us to do just that. Photo by Nicole Mason. 

Sasami Ashworth is a self-proclaimed "all-around musical badass" and we agree. A well-worn veteran (playing with the likes of Cherry Glazerr, Japanese Breakfast and Blondie) with mad music knowledge and education to boot, SASAMI is a tour de force with a resume so stacked you'll want to shut up and listen. Her aesthetic bolsters a brand consistent to her musical style: hip and colorful with a splash of grunge. SASAMI’s most recent single, "Take Care" seems to reverberate this attitude: the song's voice is honest and extremely alt-rock. The synth echo in the intro and the guitar chords feel reminiscent of Soccer Mommy and an earlier Tame Impala. However, the airy yet poignant background vocals are what truly make the track stand out—generating the emotionalism of the song against an otherwise choreographed and steady melody. SASAMI recently teamed up with other indie-rock doyennes including Snail Mail and Slut Island, so if you need me I'll be stalking all of them on social media for the next few days and binge-listening to SASAMI's debut full-length LP.

MADDEE's newest single “Dry” is a soft downtempo R&B track about the inescapable nature of loneliness. The Toronto-based electronic-soul artist experiments with a purposeful combination of silky brass sections, sparse piano and precise percussion with the help of percussionist and producer Gray Rowan. Her soulful jazz vocals are the highlight as she sings about the necessity of maintaining self-worth within relationships. It’s soft and winding—never really leaving a meditative state on what went wrong as she sings, “I don’t know how to feel / something feels like it is missing / and I can’t tell what it is” before repeating “I can’t run from it.” MADDEE has come to the realization that she must address her loneliness instead of attempting to escape it. Maybe there is even some importance in experiencing the full breadth of emotion that can accompany the loss of a relationship. “Dry” is a taste of what is to come on MADDEE’s upcoming six-track EP Red Mind out October 17.

Last week, chic pop artist EVA released her new EP, Truthfully. Full of shimmering synths, honest songwriting and heady dance arrangements, the 8-track release is the perfect music for a night on the town with your friends. The opening track, “Truthfully,” is bright and playful, and sets the tone for the rest of the EP. Crisp and clear production emphasizes the vibrant instrumentation, notably the sharp, pulsing percussion and electric, 80s-inspired keys. The arrangement throbs behind EVA’s dreamy vocal. Light and euphoric, her gorgeous soprano is a guiding force throughout the song. Her blunt, straightforward lyrics reflect the theme of the song: “Truthfully and honestly, I’ll always be there.” “Truthfully" is the first in a collection of freeing, accessible pop songs from a captivatingly fun artist. Don't miss your chance to see her perform live while enjoying a three-course meal and complimentary cocktails at Guadalupe Inn in celebration of our 10 year anniversary. Buy your tickets here.

London trio Girl Ray have dropped a new single to set a groovy tone for their upcoming sophomore LP. "Show Me More" tells the story of a classic back and forth, when things feel right but "your boo is playing savage games." Lines like "Don't give me these highs then leave" capture the will they/won't they energy of an unhurried summer fling that simply needs a nudge to evolve into something more. The chic tune gravitates towards a mainstream hook and poppy bassline, aided by the springy production of Ash Workman, whose credits include Christine and the Queens and Metronomy, for whom Girl Ray will be opening this fall. "Show Me More" is polished and sleek without losing the handcrafted haze at the heart of Girl Ray. Girl is due out on November 8 through Moshi Moshi Records.