You’re likely already acquainted with the psych-laden, occasionally crunchy sound of Henry Grant by way of his previous project Zula, and new single “Stay Well (feat. Ryan Wyner)” shifts Grant’s hazy instrumental approach from driving indie rock towards hazy dream pop. Still present is an off-kilter, DIY approach to instrumentation that gives “Stay Well” a discordant-yet-melodic energy, albeit such sounds are now presented at a chilled pace. Moreover, this steady, dreamlike quality lends itself well to Grant’s lyrics, which detail the quarantine distance, the process of “celebrating lonely sounds” and “laying low till they figure it out.” While certain elements of Grant’s songwriting feel anxious and claustrophobic at times (“formless feelings, melancholy”) the track’s mellow, progressive structure endows a sense of resolve, an ability to maintain cool composure in the center of the storm. Stream it below, and watch Henry Grant’s page for more intrepid synth later this year.

It is a time to celebrate whatever freedom we can, and Doug Fraley's doing so with his solo project flowers de moon and new single "Anthem of Bob". Fraley's new track gives praise to the van life, a life upon which Fraley embarked last year as he trekked from his home base of Pittsburgh to his new digs in Highland Park. "Anthem of Bob" is Fraley's LA debut, as well as his first release as a solo project, although the new single does include contributions from former bandmate Olivia Price. The video features the indietronica track over clips of Fraley near the Salton Sea, all of which were filmed before quarantine. The song and video stand as a testament to freedom of spirit and location, which will hopefully resume in full force soon. Take a look at the video for "Anthem of Bob" below. - Will Sisskind

The pandemic hasn't stopped musicians from putting out work, even if they've had to travel halfway around the world. The Blossom -- the project of Lily Lizotte -- has released her new single "Bored Baby Blues", a song pulsing with dream pop nostalgia and a sense of coming home. The video for the song consists of footage Lizotte took after arriving back in her native home of Sydney, showing her biking around and driving around her neighborhood in the earliest days of the pandemic. Surrounded by uncertain energy, the video shows Lizotte enjoying what freedom she can get. Take a look at the video for "Bored Baby Blues" below. - Will Sisskind

Like a cup of black coffee, New Hampshire’s Zero Front keeps things quite simple but oh so good. In his new EP, Static Faces, the singer/songwriter/loop perfectionist mixes clean electric guitar strums with modernist sound loops that create an environment fit for both an existential contemplation or escapism rejecting the former idea. “Cold Coffee” is groovy, with sustained sounds like robots conversing. Where “Vanity Plates” is as serene as a walk among a familiar place, “Sea of Tranquility (The Moon Song)” is the wrong turn that ends up being not the wrong turn, almost psychedelic in its slow nature. Zero Front has created a piece of work that feels like it was meant to belong only to him but has accidentally become something for all to enjoy and understand. Stream “Cold Coffee” for a simplicity that just feels and sounds like what you need this weekend. - Rene Cobar, photo by Ryan Burnham

Igniting our month and weekend simultaneously, furiously shredding and adorably bopping, all the same, is Vaughan Supple’s brand new EP Backbone Elegy. The new record is more of Vaughan’s grungy brand of music, except this time the Boston artist varnishes his sound in a sweet mixture of gooey doo-wop that creates a product irresistible and all his own. Right out of the gate, the furious punk rhythm and sugary harmonizing of “For Old Time's Sake” gets a hold of you, ripping distorted guitars and floating Vaughan’s infectious melody in its raunchy medley of fun. Where “Perfume and Mirrors” is a gorgeous piano-led ballad, drowsy and passionate, “Bubblegum” is true to its namesake: short and sweetly-flavored pop-jazz. The title track of the new EP, is where Vaughan Supple’s theme is revealed, why with its thick ambiance of velvety harmonies and distinct acoustic guitar flourishes the artist takes vocal flight towards the past, reflecting as he longs for a simpler time in music and all elsewhere. One could say the final song in the album, a reprise of the first, is a moody send-off, but we argue it could just as well be the beginning as time is not always a river flowing in one direction, sometimes it is a beautiful storm to behold. Stream Backbone Elegy premiering exclusively below and here is to a great month. - Rene Cobar