Hiromi Uehara and Sonicwonder.

This week’s edition features diverse instrumentation and warm energy. It’s a fun ride with Hiromi’s Sonicwonder and Franc Moody. Your Grandparents and Yves Jarvis tap into nostalgic vibes while Salami Rose Joe Louis offers a mind-bending experience. Finally, Luke Marzec and Mynameisntjmack explore what love might look like.

Your Grandparents, “The Dial” —  L.A. vocalists DaCosta and Jean Carten and producer Cole Thompson made this fusion of hip-hop and soul over breezy drumming and warm guitar riffs. However, the lyrical message makes “The Dial” a solid playlist addition. “When my sun sets and I look at the dial/ I wanna surely say I wasted no time,” they sing in the chorus. It’s personal and nostalgic. The song is the first under their new label, drink sum wtr, and a taste of their coming project.

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Franc Moody, “Space Between Us” — This banger threw me back to the ’70s with its disco tempo, psychedelic intro and even trippier video. The latest by Londoners Ned Franc and Jon Moody feels like it’s from outer space. I found it cool how Franc Moody played on the idea of space as a literal void out of Earth but also an idea that exists in relationships. The song, from forthcoming album Chewing The Fat, is timeless and fun. The duo has said it wanted to make music that allows people to clock off and tap into something that lightens the load for a bit. I say “mission accomplished.”

Yves Jarvis, “All Cylinders” — “The sun will be rising/ Our tears will be drying,” the Canadian musician sings in the chorus. “All Cylinders” is a warm summer day with nostalgic organ chords and tender layered vocals. Jean-Sebastien Yves Audet (Yves Jarvis) explores sounds on this song from an upcoming album of the same name. Just when I thought I knew where the song was going, he trickled in a new instrument that turned it into something else.

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Hiromi’s Sonicwonder, “Balloon Pop” — This whimsical jazz number solidifies why Hiromi Uehara is a Grammy-winning pianist and composer; she gets how to have fun with music! Her backing band, Sonicwonder, creates what I’d describe as a sonic wonderland. It’s playful, childlike and instantly puts me in a good mood. The artist, who goes by Hiromi, opens with sparkling synth keys and just as I’m enjoying the percussion and brass section, she delivers a fun piano solo. “Balloon Pop” is from her second album with Sonicwonder, set to release in April. She also headlines four shows at SFJAZZ between April 17 and 20.

Mynameisntjmack, “argue typing” — Between the soulful vocals and witty lyricism, I can’t decide what I enjoyed most. “Argue typing” is a hip-hop slow-burner with an addictive bass line and smooth instrumentals. The L.A. rapper delivers a crisp flow, discussing the balance between life, ambition and relationships. Mynameisntjmack is a solid storyteller and the accompanying video is just as alluring.

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Salami Rose Joe Louis, “Arm fell asleep” —  Singer-songwriter Lindsay Olsen’s publicist describes her as a genre traveler and after I heard “Arm fell asleep,” I fully got it. Olsen packaged this layered story to four minutes, using her “FunFun,” which she calls her Roland MV8800 synth and sampler, to weave this story that feels like a dream. “Arm fell asleep while I was sailing/ My driving was quite impaired,” she sings. She might be my new favorite storyteller.

Luke Marzec, “I Can’t Get You Out Of Mind” — The passion and honesty in Luke Marzec’s voice makes me want to talk to whoever hurt him. It’s so raw. From his upcoming album, Something Good Out of Nothing (due in March), it carries a yearning that doesn’t exist in a lot of music anymore. Over jazzy beats, the British artist sings with clarity and depth.

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Dumi’s Pick: “Balloon Pop” matches the energy I want to carry in 2025. The perfection in Hiromi Uehara’s piano playing paired with the rest of the band offers the perfect reminder that life is a lot of things—and fun is one of them.

Follow Dumisani Mnisi at Instagram.com/nairobi_1899.