Nelly performs at Outside Lands in San Francisco on Oct. 31, 2021. Adam Pardee/STAFF. Nelly might have sold half his music catalog last summer, but the rapper has more new music up his sleeve. This year he also has plenty of performing in store. Before releasing his new album,…

Bôa (Jasmine Rodgers, Alex Caird and Lee Sullivan), courtesy Freddie Stisted. An introspective orchestral rock ballad from bôa, optimistic campfire jam from Ra Ra Riot, comforting synth-wave from Washed Out, emo rock by Carly Cosgrove, culture-blending electronic dance music from Barry Can’t Swim, late-night surf rock by Thin Lear…

Iron & Wine, “Light Verse.” With his first album in seven years, singer-songwriter Sam Beam has put together a thought-provoking Iron & Wine comeback. Self-produced and mixed and engineered by Dave Way, Light Verse examines middle age and its under-appreciated upsides. The acceptance of getting older comes with new,…

“ZHU, “Grace.” The fourth album by ZHU, Grace, maintains the Bay Area native’s signature electronic sound while embracing elements of pop and hip-hop. Grace  ZHU Astralwerks, March 15 7/10 Get the album on Amazon Music. The double album’s opening track, “Crossroads,” foreshadows the journey ahead. ZHU’s vocals begins soft,…

Sly5thAve, courtesy. Paula Cole and Sly5thAve pay tribute to their mentors and friends, August Charles presents a soulful examination of isolation, benches play dirty alt-rock, SG Lewis and Chloé Caillet go clubbing, Blue Lab Beats whip up feel-good jazz fusion, and Bibi Club and Nightbus showcase their takes on…

Chromeo, “Adult Contemporary” Can you imagine anything better than disco-laced funk to help you work through your feelings? Chromeo can’t either, and the duo pulls it off with it’s latest album, Adult Contemporary. Adult Contemporary Chromeo BMG, Feb. 16 8/10 Get the album on Amazon Music. This funky, retro-feeling…

Call Me Spinster, courtesy Our Ampersand Photography. Perhaps a symptom of me being in the dead of winter, this week’s picks are full of contemplation. Check out a soft electronic folk song about motherhood by Call Me Spinster, folky rock by Odie Leigh, a satirical cut by Oxford Drama,…

Alice Russell, courtesy. This week’s column features dreamy soft rock from Loving, bumping electronic rock from the Snuts, a melancholy examination of growing up by The Umbrellas, a soulful fusion of electro-pop and blues from Alice Russell, Bridget Kearney’s new quirky alternative track about how hard it can be…

Odetta Hartman, courtesy. Battle-call-like rock from Nadine Shah, a throwback from Caravan Palace, DRAMA and Flight Facilities’ low-key dance jam, The Ivy’s sad-boy surf rock, creepy alt-pop by Odetta Hartman, a ’90s-like rap cut by Nappyhigh, Mick Jenkins and Memnoc, a heavy-hitting track by Wind Walkers and a dance…