Porches: Country

With a rippling, emotive surface underscored by an uncertain eeriness, “Country” is the latest release from Porches, aka Aaron Maine. The brief, potent track steps forward with considered escalation, adding backing vocals by Dev Hynes and Bryndon Cook along the way. Maine and Nicholas Harwood co-directed the music video, which introduces a surprise twist with only seconds left to spare.

MEI: Steppin

With “Steppin,” London-based singer/songwriter MEI uses sometimes sweet, always compelling vocals to guide listeners through the track’s twists and turns. Jazz-infused and driven by piano and a heavy bassline, the song’s magnificence is hard to define—blending dissonant chords into an ethereal soundscape. Produced by Count Counsellor, it’s a telling indicator of MEI’s talents and hints to the wonders of her future 2018 releases.

Django Django: Tic Tac Toe

Like a third shot of espresso, mild electrocution or a punch to the chest, the music of Django Django offers a surge of delirious energy. The band’s latest psychedelic rock number “Tic Tac Toe” comes complete with a rapid-fire, zany music video directed by John Maclean. It’s a carnivalesque boardwalk adventure, entirely enjoyable and saturated with surprise and delight. The track was taken from Django …