Sufjan Stevens: “America”

The first single from The Ascension arrives as its own dark omen.

Megan Thee Stallion: “Girls in the Hood”...

The Houston rapper turns the table on fragile male egos in this reinterpretation of Eazy-E’s “Boyz-n-the-Hood.”

Kareem Ali: “Night Echoes”

The prolific Phoenix, Arizona-based producer brings real force to soft, hypnotic house cuts.

Special Interest: “Street Pulse Beat”...

The New Orleans band are in full command of their glammy, no wave sound.

Drakeo the Ruler: “Backflip or Sumn”

On this mixtape highlight, the currently incarcerated rapper dares to imagine a space where he is unconfined.

Medhane: “I’m Deadass”

The Brooklyn rapper’s soulful new single has the glow of nostalgia without the rose tint.