Samaria: Shy Girl

Premiering on The Fader, Oakland-based Samaria’s “Shy Girl” is a sweet, lush ballad. Incorporating tidbits from Biz Markie’s classic “Just a Friend” (and maybe Mario’s 2002 version too), the track avoids becoming gimmicky. It will appear on Samaria’s upcoming mixtape Adventures of LoverGirl.

Phony Ppl: somethinG about your love.

From their new album mō’zā-ik. (available to stream in its entirety on NPR today), Phony Ppl‘s “somethinG about your love.” is a sunny tune that—like all of the BK-based band’s music—bounces between several genres. The entire album spans neo-soul, hip-hop, funk, bossa nova, pop and just about everything between, in a delightfully satisfying and infectious manner. While the five-piece has gone through a few line-up …

Girlpool: Where You Sink

First appearing as an acoustic Harmony Tividad track, “Where You Sink” has grown since Tividad joined forces with Cleo Tucker. Together, Girlpool’s dreamy iteration hovers about like heavy clouds before a storm. There’s a gravity to the lyricism, driven by a desire for the impossible—loving someone caught up in themselves.