This standout track from Sophia Stel’s new record, the confidently titled the greatest record of all time, is a brooding blend of synth bass and haunted pads. At its thumping chorus, it veers into a neon-lit, fist pumping terrain that contrasts well with its lyrics, which are about a bleak night out on the town: “First one out and last one faded.” — Tobias Hess

The Alté pioneer taps Nigerian underground favorite Zaylevelten for a rumbling record that would kill as a backtrack to a video game. After two hyped-up minutes, the track calms into a jazzy piano outro, as if the level is complete. — Kylah Williams

“Higher when I give me all the love that I need,” Shygirl opens on “Mantra,” a song filled with lyrics that could be recited to yourself in front of a mirror every morning. The track feels like revving up a machine — one that may sound just like the track’s blast of garage and breakbeats. —Steffanee Wang

Despite its sweetly chipper sonic palette, the crown jewel of Stick Around For Tea carries an uncanny ache. The girls, boys, and guitars that Rowan Please sings about on “Stratocaster” are stifled by the world’s expectations – but like Worldpeace DMT, they find transcendence when they refuse to play by rules. – Vivian Medithi

Parriun is about to blow up. Pronounced “pair-ree-yawn,” the Arkansas-based artist released their inaugural mixtape JUNKIE JAMS on October 11. Hyper-digital but grainy, “DUTCH KEY/KISSING BOOTH,” incorporates blissful drum breaks that lend this energetic track a sense of peace. — Kiki Dekel

On his new album babyhouston, H-Town rapper-producer rexv2 assembles enormous, trunk-rattling instrumentals, and then slices through the pocket with agile flows. He sounds especially dialed in on “ChromeWristband,” his melodic bars moving in tandem with the woozily squiggly synthlines. – VM

Nabihah Iqbal’s first release since 2023’s DREAMER is a floaty New Wave ode to friendship, and summers spent in New York City and London. “Friends are a feeling / Joy is a place,” she sings, a warm sentiment needed in these cooling months. —TH

“Sunshine” radiates with the ecstasy of the dance floor. Its acidic throughline, deep bass, and alluring vocals all serve as a concrete foundation for the tambourines and timbales to dance across the mix. This track also just so happens to be the 50th release of Major Records, a beloved Brooklyn imprint from the minds of Nita Aviance, Justin Cudmore, Will Automagic, and Mike Servito. — KD

French electronic duo Jersey’s debut album unabashedly leans into the sonics of their French Touch forbearers, but always with an impish touch. “Fool For U” is a club-ready track you can imagine yourself bouncing along to with the same uncanny permagrin that's featured on the album cover. – Hajin Yoo

You’ve likely already heard Isaac Eiger’s (Threshold) work as a producer and songwriter; he’s worked with everyone from Chanel Beads and Frost Children, to ADÉLA (on “Marijuana” from Prima). As Threshold, he just released a new piano-led ballad that sounds both like a prayer and the perfect backdrop for a climactic montage. — TH

A perfectly moody indie-pop bop for fall and ending flings and situationships. —Steffanee Wang