Amandla Stenberg: Let My Baby Stay

Paired with a moody, minimal music video, Amandla Stenberg’s “Let My Baby Stay” cover is a thoughtful deconstruction of Mac DeMarco’s 2014 original. The song will appear on the soundtrack of Stenberg’s forthcoming film “Everything, Everything.” With a captivating vibe and lyrical conviction, Stenberg demonstrates she’s more than just a popular actor.

Phoenix: J-Boy

Perhaps not immediately recognizable as Phoenix, the French band’s new track “J-Boy” is a sparkly synth-pop treat. The song is from the upcoming Ti Amo which is set for release 9 June—their first album since 2013’s Bankrupt!. Lead vocalist Thomas Mars’ lyrics mention everything from disco lights, to Michelangelo and masquerade balls, but the song’s message is deeper than it first seems. The swirling, irresistible …

Perfume Genius: Die 4 U

Last week, Perfume Genius (aka Mike Hadreas) released his fourth record No Shape and today, the video for “Die 4 U“—directed by the remarkably talented Floria Sigismondi. The song alone is a slinky, dark and minimal tune that Hadreas’s sultry voice teeters over. Subtle erotic asphyxiation, the lyrics don’t give much away. The music video is equally full of contrasts: an almost abandoned warehouse space …