Ladi6: Royal Blue

The title-track from Ladi6’s six-track EP, “Royal Blue” is a sparkly tune that blends pop, psychedelic and dancehall in a way that not only works, but allures with its silkiness. Ladi6 (made up of frontwoman Ladi aka Karoline Tamati, Parks aka Brent Park and Julien Dyne) apparently worked on the songs at shows around New Zealand before heading to the studio.

Shao Jean + Leyeux: Awaken

Composer, producer and musician Shao Jean has teamed up with singer, songwriter and instrumentalist Leyeux (aka Jack Snyder) for a sublime song called “Awaken.” The gentle tune ambles along with handclaps, layered vocals and a cadence that seems to switch up constantly but without jarring. It’s a textured, rich piece of indie-folk.

Kibwe Tavares’ “Robot and Scarecrow” Short Film

Layering CGI characters atop live-action music festival sequences, London-based filmmaker Kibwe Tavares has crafted a sweet, sad and unlikely love story within the short film “Robot and Scarecrow.” The story sees a robot performer and scarecrow attendee (played by Holliday Grainger and Jack O’Connell respectively) meeting and exploring their feelings for one another. Between beers, fireworks, and dancing, it’s a somewhat traditional story, yet eccentric …