If Kodak Black pivoted to making early-aughts inspired love songs, he would’ve made this. Released just in time for Valentine’s Day, Eem Triplin’s latest is a 90-second romantic bop for the yearners. Eem’s voice is dreamy and fuzzy, gliding over a self-produced beat that works whether you’re kissing your crush or hitting Dem Franchize Boyz’s “Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It.” – Kylah Williams

brat’s delirious electronic production was sometimes a distraction from Charli xcx’s exceptionally solid song writing. Her poignant pen cuts through on the charming soundtrack to Wuthering Heights. My favorite track off it is the sweetly twee “Seeing Things,” which features synth bass hits that compel head bangs and tingly piano lines that remind me of Vanessa Carlton. — Tobias Hess

At 80, the beloved British folk musician Labi Siffre is still bursting with bountiful soul, as evidenced on his first song in years, “Far Away.” A teary-eyed piano ballad, it’s carried along by the power of his vibrato. —Steffanee Wang

Cash Cobain and Loe Shimmy linked up last fall on the remix of “Hoes Be Mad” (potentially the best BunnaB song of 2025). My only complaint then was that Loe’s verse was too short, and I get the feeling Murda Beatz might have felt the same way. Cash’s baritone and Loe’s falsetto complement each other just so as they trade verses on “By My Side,” the perfect soundtrack for the afters. – Vivian Medithi

Brent Faiyaz is toxic no more. On “wrong faces.,” he reflects on his formerly non-committal ethos to a listener who’s still chasing the high of fleeting desire. The track’s minimalism and message reflects a shift in priority, signaling that Faiyaz may have finally outgrown his hedonism. — KW

Flipping “Levels” by Avicii into a sticky, frenetic club jam is a feat. The first single from Showjoe’s upcoming album YUNI lives up to the euphoric highs of its recession pop source material. Read our full review of the Uzi-influenced single here. – VM

Snail Mail is on a roll following the release of “Dead End” from her forthcoming album Ricochet. Now she’s released “My Maker” which shows off her economical, emotionally cutting lyricism and producer Aron Kobayashi Ritch and Snail Mail's enthralling wall of sound production. — TH

I love how the murky guitar production contrasts with light and lilting vocals on “Prayin’” off New York City-based artist and Samba Jean-Baptiste-affiliate Rockie Rode’s great full length debut, Rockie: a comforting collection of timeless songs that are at once ethereal and homey. — TH

RADA’s “bad day” is ostensibly a diss track to a toxic guy, but it comes across more as a bid for connection. The track’s bouncy, glitchy sound belies the London-based singer’s nonchalant lyrical delivery (“You’re like a bad day waiting to happen”), making me think this is probably just how Gen Z flirts. —SW

A seemingly straightforward locket of a pop song is twisted up with distortion and AutoTune to make something strange and whimsical. —SW