Kid Cudi: The Rage

With a chorus drawn from the Smashing Pumpkins’ classic “Bullet With Butterfly Wings,” Kid Cudi’s “The Rage” makes for a genre-smashing, mash-up-like banger. All things considered, the sum is greater than the parts. Once again the rapper delivers lyrics worth poring over on a rich, warm track.

Okkervil River: Don’t Move Back To LA

Another clever, compelling work dedicated to thoughts of moving west, “Don’t Move Back To LA” offers Okkervil River’s laundry list of reasons to stay east—or anywhere else. Will Sheff’s lyricism—cast out through his recognizable gravelly vocals—toes a comedic line, addressing license renewal and alcohol intake. But it’s the video Sheff directs that makes the greatest case, featuring beautiful imagery of both New York and a …

Empress Of: Trust Me Baby

Three years since her debut album Me, Empress Of (aka singer/songwriter, Lorely Rodriguez) has released two new songs: “In Dreams” and “Trust Me Baby“—both written, produced, engineered and performed by Rodriguez. The latter (co-produced by LA’s Cole MGN) blends in some warm R&B to her usual synth-heavy, sparkly electronic style.