Shy Girls, otherwise known as singer-songwriter/producer Dan Vidmar, just released his second album, Bird On The Wing—11 groovy tracks that give modern R&B a good name. A standout among them is “Drain,” the first on the album. It’s a song with a pulse perfect for walking down the street with the sun at your back and your headphones on full blast. “Drain” is a tribute to classic R&B with an alternative twist; it’s bass-heavy with a throbbing drum beat and Vidmar’s signature warm, low-fi vocals. The simple repetition of the three act as a base for the eclectic synth sounds (plus the deep, rhythmic background breathing in the chorus) sprinkled throughout. The result is a fun, slightly off-beat R&B bop you’ll want to play on repeat. Through masterful arrangement, Vidmar, who produced the entire album himself, proves he knows the conventions of the genre and, therefore, how to effectively break free of them.

Los Angeles genre-bending artist Moses Sumney released his gorgeous and ethereal debut album Aromanticism into the world this September. Sumney has made a big impression on artists like Solange and Sufjan Stevens for good reason. His infusion of soul and folk come together on this album in a way that leaves us begging for more. A prime example of this heavenly blend is found on the third song of the album, “Plastic.” A previous version of the song can be heard on the first season of Issa Rae’s HBO series, Insecure. This new version serves as one of the more simplistic songs on the album, featuring just a fingerpicked electric guitar, a synth and Sumney’s captivating voice. The hook of the song repeats the line “my wings are made of plastic,” each time sung in a slightly different way than it was before, continuing to imbue the phrase with new meaning. This song of vulnerability, self-awareness and secret-spilling is the kind that you can leave on repeat and get lost in for hours.