The man, the traveler, the folk singer-songwriter you got to check out is Chance Emerson. Shifting his time from Concord, NH to Hong Kong to Providence, RI, and beyond this artist has crafted a sonic journal of his travels titled The Raspberry Men, and wow does it tell a story. The new record has a worldly feel from the start as “How Can I” showcases toxic rhythms often found in Africa and some parts of Latin America; Emerson’s rich choruses are grandiose and provocative. Songs like “Annabelle” are rooted in modern melancholy: the feeling of missing someone real among the many faces in our various phone apps. “Coming to Japan” is an atmospheric tour of Emerson’s experience abroad as well as a confession, as he says, “No, I’m not from anywhere, I’m a nowhere man at heart.” Each song is a fantastic chapter in the life of an artist that dares to see the world for what it is, and he for what he could be in it. Stream the laid-back and oh-so-honest track “It Won’t Be Pretty” below for the midweek vibe you deserve. - Rene Cobar

Boston’s Vundabar is set to release Either Light on March 13th and how excellent it promises to be. That promise exists in the deliciously retro indie-pop track “Burned Off,” which takes the listener on a speedy sonic roller coaster that cascades past a pulsating bassline, a crisp drum pattern, candy-sweet vocals, oh and guitar riffs so 2003. Brandon Hagen, Drew McDonald and Zackery Abramo continue this project that is quickly escaping our stratosphere on here as the group is touring the country throughout the spring with a show on April 24th at Paradise Rock Club for our New England folks. If the new record has more of the exquisite falsettos, and atmospheric breaks, featured in the single streaming below then wonderful it will be. - Rene Cobar

Last November, a Boston collective called The Shallows released a shoegaze treat quite transportive. Arsonist is all that is good about the ethereal genre, why with tracks like “Beginners,” whose guitar chords linger splendidly, elegant vocals enchant, and reliable rhythms impress, there is little not to enjoy. The overdriven bass that leads the title track adds a rock edge to the floating arpeggios that explode into tough fuzz-rich strums in the choruses. “Glacial Lakes” pays homage to the genre’s ‘80s U.K origins with its pure dream-pop elements while “Charmed” coasts to a soothing end somewhere far from where your emotions were before the start of the record. Stream the title track of this new EP below for a quicker way to get to your weekend. - Rene Cobar

Toward the end of February Burlington, Vermont group Couchsleepers released a silky indie-rock record—titled Only When It's Dark—that ticks all the boxes for a laid-back evening or end-of-road-trip soundtrack. From sensationally atmospheric tracks like the title one, which hypnotizes with its heart-beat-deep basslines and hazy delays to the warm vocals that lure and groove in "All I Want," the record jumps from one syrupy track to the next. Songs like "On Your Mind" bask in their melancholy as they flaunt sweet indie-rock guitar riffs, slightly fuzzed and exquisite. The record evokes a feeling of completion, it begs you to recall the end of something, perhaps beautiful, maybe tragic. Stream "On Your Mind" below and trust us that it will be worth your time. - Rene Cobar

So good to see the hard-working—and ever-soulful—Cindy Latin continuing to churn out velvety jazz singles dripping with the vulnerability-strength duality she balances so well. “5 More Minutes” is an honest confession of love, an ode to the simple pleasures that are best shared with a special someone. Latin’s rich blend of sonorous brass instrumentation, soft electric guitar riffs, and, of course, her ever-enchanting vocals is the perfect sonic brew for those mornings foggy with melancholic memories and bright hopes. Taking the best elements of late ‘90s R&B and modern alt-soul, Latin scores again. We cheers to Latin’s work ethic, and as always, we wish her a great 2020 to come. Stream “5 More Minutes” below for a smooth start to your week. - Rene Cobar, photo by Michal Augustini