Alt-pop star Conan Gray hasn’t missed yet with his series of 2021 singles, from the dance-inspired “Overdrive” to the more tender “People Watching” and more. His latest release, the twinkling and racing “Telepath” continues his winning streak with a song that features Gray harmonizing with himself while relaying his feelings about an ex coming back around. — Lyndsey Havens
BENEE, “Doesn’t Matter”
New Zealand’s rising pop star BENEE is back with a slow-burning acoustic ballad “Doesn’t Matter,” which sounds as if its looped production was built around an old Mac DeMarco riff. But in the absence of the vibrant punchiness behind breakout hit “Supalonely,” BENEE’s talents as a vocalist and lyricist shine through — and prove there might just be many more layers to her artistry. — L.H.
Beach Bunny, “Oxygen”
Since Chicago-based indie-rock act Beach Bunny released its 2020 debut full-length Honeymoon, the band has kept busy with an EP this January and two one-offs, “Cloud 9” featuring Tegan and Sara and its latest offering “Oxygen.” Supported by a steadying drumbeat and splashy cymbals, Lili Trifilio’s vocals soar as she sings about a partner being a lifeline: “Suddenly, everything is easy/I’ve never felt something so deeply/’Cause with you I breath again.” — L.H.
Amy Allen, “End of a Dark Age”
The songwriting nuance demonstrated on Amy Allen’s new single “End of a Dark Age” shouldn’t be a surprise to those who have followed her contributions to songs by Harry Styles, Halsey and Selena Gomez; more impressive here is the growth in Allen’s vocal confidence, as she wraps around romantic metaphors (“I wanna be the poem you know / When you’re drunk in the street /Hear you singing it proudly”) with an ease and self-awareness. — Jason Lipshutz
RIKI, “Florence & Selena”
Nothing like a wistful saxophone solo to kick off November: Riki, formerly a member of Crimson Scarlet, lets the horn wail before floating down into the dream-pop production and scratching our Cocteau Twins itch on her latest single. — J. Lipshutz
ENZI, “Sickly Sweet”
Following 2020 singles “Retrograde” and “Mad Chemistry,” “Sickly Sweet” showcases alt-pop newcomer ENZI as a compelling bubblegum savant, recalling turn-of-the-century top 40 fare but with an elevated melodic approach — just try not humming along to that “swee-e-e-e-et” bridge. — J. Lipshutz
ElyOtto, “Stalker”
With staccato synths and a cascade of 8-bit glitches, ElyOtto’s “Stalker” is a pounding rush of hyperpop endorphins delivered with the manic glee of a mad scientist. And it shows a nice growth from viral breakout “SugarCrash,” with ElyOtto putting a tad less Auto-Tune on his usually warped-to-hell-and-back vocals. And you know what? He sounds great. – Joe Lynch
Poo Bear, “Distant Shore”
When he’s not co-writing or producing hits with long-time pal Justin Bieber, Poo Bear’s in the studio working on his own genre-hopping music. The latest, “Distant Shore,” is yearning, moody dance-pop track that lets him delve deep on the buttery money notes, reminding us of his substantial vocal prowess, even as the beat keeps the party pulsing. – J. Lynch
Maggie Lindemann, “She Knows It”
A lot of the songs to come out of the recent pop-punk resurrection are more spiritual descendants of the angsty genre, but with a ferocious guitar attack and pissed-off vocal fury on “She Knows It,” Maggie Lindemann shows the competition exactly what it sounds like when you’re hurting inside and still kicking ass. – J. Lynch
Joel Corry ft. Mabel, “I Wish”
A sweet, sing-song delivery and bright, buoyant beat belies the lyrical regret on “I Wish,” making this instantly likeable club bop from English DJ Joey Corry and Swedish-English singer Mabel a song worthy of repeat listens. It’s easy to imagine this one having a slow burn to great heights. – J. Lynch
