Los Angeles’ Swerve is pensive yet hopeful in its new track, “My Enemy Is Dead,” which begins softly, with clean electric guitar chords strummed as lightly as the vocals that reflect on a tumultuous year, or era even. As the song progresses and fuzz becomes the ambiance of a track where a warm bass and vibrant drum rhythm become highlights, we realize that music can still help us uncage feelings of sadness, victory, and relief. In its anthemic feel, “My Enemy Is Dead” channels a desire to let go of the trauma, moving forward, well prepared. Stream the new track below, and get lost in the song’s jolting guitar solo. – René Cobar

Indie-pop collabs do not get much tastier than ones like “Peace at Last,” a new composition by L.A.’s Tim Atlas that features Tokyo-born, L.A.-based duo, honeywhip, and sounds like a sonic creamsicle melting to the warmth of its groove. Dreamy with trickling keynotes and a treble-heavy bass guitar buzz, the new track celebrates individuality and a new type of quiet. In the song’s jubilant bounce, there is the slick production of Atlas, who crafts a modern pop sound while retaining the edge of DIY; dance away at the intricacies by streaming the new single below. – René Cobar

Embracing the riveting rhythms and soul-piercing crunch-chords of alternative rock is Ania’s creed, showcased in the final visual of her 2020 EP Ania in Chains titled “Tuesdays.” Powered by Ania’s slithering guitar riffs and reverb-lathered vocal chorus runs, “Tuesdays” is a sonic style pin that she shows proudly. The track runs at the pace preferred by the Los Angeles singer/songwriter (fast) but flexes wavy interludes that are as pleasant as the rapid rhythms that follow. Ania culminates her EP with the same edge as she began it and prepares for a year filled with promising possibilities. Check out the visual for “Tuesdays” below for a razor-sharp start to the weekend.  – René Cobar

Los Angeles’ Coma Girls hit the spot with their latest breezy-melancholic single, “Wedding Roses,” all it takes is a single listen to find out. The track strolls to reverb-soaked electric guitar chords that weave and surround, creating an atmosphere deliciously smooth. The drums, steady and relaxed, sit beneath the vocals that reflect on love with a sense of urgency and acceptance that keeps the track emotionally versatile. While the music video flirts with the mischievous in its aesthetic, there is comfort in the unknown and the daring; explore the duality of “Wedding Roses” by streaming the track below (and enjoy the syrupy guitar solo too). – René Cobar

Soundhoose holds nothing back in its new single “Psycho,” which marches to powered-up fuzzed-out guitars and kickdrum thumps like gut punches. The vocals are rough and rugged, spiking right at the choruses for an anthemic feel that is fitting for the claustrophobic world we currently live in. If getting lost in emotions, frustrations, or the joy of self-realization is the desired end, “Psycho” serves as the right conduit; stream the new single below for a bolt of energy into the weekend. – René Cobar

Hannah Hausman steps into 2021 with a bit more spark than others: her debut single “will i ever feel like this again?” is an indie-pop bliss composition led by a distinctive vocal delivery, both soft and assertive. Both bouncy, a bit dreamy, and even sugary, “will i ever feel like this again?” is a track for many moods and a promise that Hausman won’t fit into just any mold, a versatile artist debuting honestly. From its lush production and layering to the emotion embedded in the song’s theme of love singular, it is pop for a new decade just underway; stream “will i ever feel like this again?” below to start your weekend right. – René Cobar

Los Angeles’ BRIDGE is closing out the year with a slick single titled “It’s Ok” that kicks off with a rebellious electric guitar screeching to the night as a seductive R&B rhythm guides the track’s movement forward. Beyond BRIDGE’s alluring timbre, there is expert instrumentation from the likes of Grammy-winner C.L. Baxter (organ, synths) and Lee Barbour (guitar), closing out the year in good company. The song’s black and white video adds a touch of elegance and mystery to the song: even as it dares drift into the unreality of dreams. “It’s Ok” is more than ok: it is a bold way to close out the year and promises even more great music to come from this L.A. rising artist. – René Cobar 

Rudy De Anda has a unique sabor, a flavor to his music that is rich with tradition and topped off with psych-pop lux for something wholly unique. In his new single “Helado,” Rudy De Anda reflects on tough moments and the simple pleasures of life to the tune of playful maracas and slithering electric guitar riffs that create a joyous tale of redemption. Highlighting Chicano culture from Los Angeles to Chicago, De Anda, through his music, asks that it join hands in recognizing the beautiful ties that bind Mexican-American communities, even if it is something as simple as a corner store helado. Stream the new music video below, a joy of simplicity and full of flavor. – René Cobar

Nataliya Nikitenko debuts elegantly with a single titled “Oil & Water” that shows off her vocal prowess, fluid through a vivid lead piano melody that trickles as she ascends and descends flawlessly. With rich harmonies and well-timed string instrument swells to adorn the debut track with simmering feelings of loss and realizations of acceptance, the composition is a melancholic standout. An accomplished songwriter, having penned tracks such as Little Mix’s “No More Sad Songs (ft. Machine Gun Kelly)” and “Heavy” by Anne-Marie, Nikitenko joins the ranks of artists such as LP who step out of the shadows and into their brilliance, a spotlight awaiting them that no other could take. In “Oil & Water,” Nataliya Nikitenko appreciates the end of something, watching as it separates: the process, and its sound, are something to behold; stream the new single below. – René Cobar

What does a modern-day breakout star look like in 2020? Eccentric, not so rough around the edges, sprinkled with extra glitz and a glamorous sound that takes many risks: maybe something like indie-pop persona Aaron Taos would do. Taos’ confidence, commitment to style, and music like “Amnesia,” featuring Saiah, which is colored with piercing guitar solos, go-crazy rhythms, and a let’s-see-what-happens attitude, is the perfect combination of intrigue and fun for a deep dive. The music video for the new track is just as wild and provides a glimpse at the type of energized character that Taos presents, one perfect for the grit and glitz of Los Angeles. “Amnesia” is part of Taos’ deluxe edition of his debut album, Birthday Boy, reissue; stream the new song below to join the festivities. – René Cobar

BOYO offers up a charged version of indie-rock music in his new track “Ghost Noise,” which starts with crisp electric guitar strums and finishes with a rich distortion worthy of the song’s name. Upbeat, with a drum pattern quite snappy, “Ghost Noise” displays BOYO’s ability to keep things fun but hardly uniform as the vocals on the track shift from passive verses suited for soft rock to vocalizing that is perky for pop. With piano key trickles to accent the changing rhythms, “Ghost Noise” is a pleasant song for winter just getting started; stream the new track below for some sonic heat. – René Cobar 

Taking on various flavors of the electronic genre, Anna Lunoe debuts a sonic swirl titled “Ice Cream” that is as sweet as it is colorful. The new song bops to ‘80s video-game sounds à la Pac-Man and makes use of subtle drops into head-bouncing breakdowns and thumping stretches where Nakamura Minami, who is featured, shows off real influence in the track’s playful theme. The music video for the song is trippy enough to perfectly match the track’s mood and give listeners the complete spoonful that “Ice Cream” aims to deliver. Electronic music continues to uplift during trying times, and Anna Lunoe does it best; stream “Ice Cream” below for a fun flavor of electronic music. – René Cobar