07/18/25 New Releases
Glittery fun pop, confessional indie, and Ivory Layne’s new EP
Welcome back to the “WAYSQ?” release radar!
Last year, I committed to exploring new artists, new albums, and new releases. Since then, I’ve spent (nearly) every Thursday night listening to new music.
I’m trying to dig past charts and algorithms to find hidden gems. This little tradition has brought me some of my favorite artists, from Avery Cochrane to Aubory Bugg and more.
Here you’ll find my round-up of new releases fresh off the presses. This week, we’ve got glittery fun with the likes of Meg Smith, confessional lyricism from Grace Power, and more!
Let’s get into it!
Note: I’m leaving Spotify, but have not yet transitioned onto a new platform, so I don’t have direct links to the music. However, I’ve linked each artist’s website (or linktree, if they don’t have a website), so you can take a look and follow to your preferred streaming service.
Singles
Time After Time by Grace Power
While there are definitely some 70s and 80s influences to be found her, don’t get indie-pop witch Grace Power’s new single mixed up with the Cindy Lauper hit. Threaded through with a Fleetwood Mac-like bass line, Grace juxtaposes the chill instrumentals with heart-tugging lyrics. “Time After Time” explores the non-linear nature of healing—how trauma pops up again and again even in recovery.
“I pray for a sign/things will be different/they have to be different, right?”
Think Twice by Grace Enger
Grace must be a charmed name for singer songwriters, because I can name at least three talented Graces in music. One such artist is Grace Enger, back with this week with a fresh single.
“Think Twice” is a piano ballad featuring Grace’s heartfelt, conversational vocals. Reminiscent of the Anthology side of Taylor Swift’s “Tortured Poets” album, there is a magnetism to this type of sad song. The build in the vocals may be subtle, but songs like “Think Twice” capture your attention through sheer emotion.
“You’ll move on with your life/while you’re ruining mine/but you don’t, you don’t think twice at all.”
Good Swimmer by Carol Ades
I’ve been enchanted with Carol Ades since I first heard her “Late Start” album. “Good Swimmer” keeps her signature sound—conversational vocals that make difficult passages seem easy, a blend of singersongwriter pop and R&B beats, with voice memos and details woven in.
It’s catchy, it’s relatable, and it feel like the beginning of a new era for Carol—making me instantly excited for a possible new album.
“I make the choices, sometimes they break me/I love myself, sometimes she hates me”
Brutus by Em Beihold
Em Beihold is back with her first new release of the year. “Brutus” is a catchy pop song simmering begrudging jealousy. The strings add a “Last Dinner Party” flair, underlying the Roman metaphor. Her crystal clear vocals breeze through melodies that’ll be stuck in your head instantly.
“I wish that I could say I’m not the jealous type/but if I’m being honest, I wish I had your life”
Dive Bar Opera by Meg Smith
Currently busy putting herself through “Pop Star bootcamp”, the colorful Meg Smith isn’t too busy to drop another single. “Diva Bar Opera” is hard to describe—it’s kind of like Meg met up with ABBA and Sabrina Carpenter for karaoke night. It’s disco flavored, sing-along ready, and despite what she says while marketing it, the lyrics to the bridge actually make sense.
“Silk glove, binoculars/karaoke, aria/took a shot, turning the/dive bar into opera”
Don’t Make Me Love You by Elli Rowe
A first impression for me—and a good one. With a lovely sound blending folk and pop, “Don’t Make You Love You” can function as soothing background music or an excellent cry-in-the-car song. It’s just one of those songs you can listen to in any mood.
“If I’m honest/if there’s a sword, I’ll fall on it/it’s dangerous, when it gets to this/I’m sparing you from me”
Sweetheart by Avery Lynch
Another first impression, Avery Lynch’s quiet, meaning-packed lyrics and masterfully crafted minimalist production reminds me of some of my favorite artists, like Emily James. “Sweetheart” gently unfolds with guitar and soft vocals, describing a love sweeter than any she’s known before.
“He likes to listen/for follow up questions/who would’ve known I was that interesting?”
like dad, like son by Lucy Sugarman
In her first new single since the quietly heartbreaking “crumb”, Lucy Sugarman is back with a slight twang and emotional lyrics. “like dad, like son” backs up her clear vocals with folk-y instrumentals as she picks apart the ways her lover lets her down.
“Woke up, you had your bags packed/left me feeling like a conquest/I told you my middle name/and I looked the other way”
I Don’t Know You Yet by Maya Lane
Another new-to-me artist, Maya Lane’s new single occupies an underrated niche: songs about romances that are entirely daydreamed up. “I Don’t Know You Yet” is a crisp, summery song for the lonely and the dreamers, perfect for anyone who likes to sit at cafe tables and wonder if their soulmate’s about to walk in.
“Wish you’d walk right through the door and take me out of my own head/but I, I don’t know you yet.”
Blue Sky by Luke Tyler Shelton
I was first introduced to Luke Tyler Shelton when I saw him open for Joy Oladokun. It was an excellent first introduction, just him, his guitar, and his songs.
“Blue Sky” is the folk side of contemporary country with its bouncing rhythm and layered guitar. His voice on this one actually reminds me viscerally of a local artist, Travis Guilliams.
“Now don’t take your time/mr. Blue sky/it’s not a crime/to show a smile”
EPs
Part-Time Jobs Near Me by Ivory Layne
The first song by Ivory Layne I ever heard was “MEHTROPOLIS”, and from the first time I heard that car key beep, I was hooked. Ivory Layne is a full-fledged artist offering uniqueness, humor, and a bouncy pop-fusion sound.
Her new EP “Part-Time Jobs Near Me” is an excellent intro into her world. Kicked off by the humorous, yet frustrated, “MEHTROPOLIS”, she spends the catchy song knocking her town before confessing: “to be honest, I just renewed my lease so I’ll be here”.
Next, we have the funky and danceable “SPACE!”. Channeling a little Sabrina Carpenter, she sends a kiss-off to a lover whose baggage is taking up too much room in the relationship.
“You can take it up with my old therapist/you milk it like the Milky Way, too bad/honey I ain’t got no space for that”
If you’re looking for a whimsical superstar, Ivory Layne’s your girl, and “LIKE ALICE” is a perfect example of that. It’s the kind of song that keeps you guessing with boppy electronic hooks and dramatic strings accompanying the prechorus before the chorus itself takes off like a rocket. It’s an excellent song to add to your running playlist or “main character soundtrack”.
Next is “OPAL RING”. Kicked off with a shimmery and a driving synth, this one’s a summery and lovesick tune perfect for sunset drives.
Her lyrics really shine in this one, setting the scene and using metaphors that pop.
“Chasing the sun in the passenger seat, I let you drive/handling the curves like we’re right back where we were last night/your skins a magnet, a habit pulling me like a tide/am I drowning or am I coming to life?”
After the smooth ending of “OPAL RING”, a crunch throws us into “ASMR”. While “MEHTROPOLIS” got me hooked on Ivory Layne, “ASMR” made me a fanatic. It’s a catchy, high-octane song full of all the lyrics most independent artists think, but don’t know how to say aloud.
“How come I can’t make a living/if you can’t live without me singing/art should make rent”
After “ASMR” bops itself out, Ivory wraps up the EP with “MISS GRAVITY”. The first thing you hear a shimmery, cosmic synth. Then comes the sad lyrics.
As the production climbs steadily heaven-wards, the lyrics seem to go down and down into the depths of self-deprecation.
“Call me miss gravity now/cuz I’m letting you down, down down”
As usual, Ivory Layne’s signature blend of wit and sincerity are on full display. She’s skilled at word play without letting the bit take over the song—it’s just enough that nearly every line gives you something to chew on if you listen while the production and melody keeps it driving forward.
Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, the song winds down to a raw, live-sounding clip.
“I’ll stay in and freak out/scared they’re talking about me…something like that”
“Part-Time Jobs Near Me” is Ivory Layne’s 3rd EP and a wonderful reintroduction to the artist she’s worked hard to become.
The full round-up
Key:
^ is a pop or indie pop song
~ is a folk or country song
\ is an EP
| is an album
Time After Time by Grace Power ^
Think Twice by Grace Enger ^
Good Swimmer by Carol Ades ^
Everything Anything by Alessi Rose ^
Brutus by Em Beihold ^
Dive Bar Opera by Meg Smith ^
BUILD A BOY by PEGGY ^
So High by Ryan Valenzuela & Second Wolf ^
Reason Why by Joanna Pearl ^
Don’t Make Me Love You by Elli Rowe ~
Sweetheart by Avery Lynch ~^
like dad, like son by Lucy Sugarman ~
I Don’t Know You Yet by Maya Lane ~
Blue Sky by Luke Tyler Shelton ~
Dandelions by Whitney ~
Either by Tiny Habits ~^
Save Your Tears by Jade Bird ~
Planets by Billie Marten ~
This Is The Killer Speaking by The Last Dinner Party ^
Mind Loaded by Blood Orange feat. Caroline Polachek & Lorde ^
Cry Cry Cry by King Princess ^
Why Is She Still Here? by Renee Rapp ^
Part-Time Jobs Near Me by Ivory Layne ^ \
The Cosmic Selector Vol. 1 by Lord Huron ~^ |
Enjoy the music!
As always, I hope you’ve found something new to put on repeat this week! I’m particularly thrilled about Meg Smith, Grace Power, Grace Enger, and Ivory Layne, and very curious about Lord Huron’s new album.
See you next time!
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