AMÉMÉ, courtesy Patrick Ames.

The first Tuesday Tracks column of December features Afro-house from AMÉMÉ and Franc Fala, uplifting pop by Dylan Cartlidge, neo-soul by UMI, a jazz tribute to drum and bass music by Kuna Maze, deep dance-pop from Joey Sachi and AKINAT, and a reflective lullaby by Guinevere.

AMÉMÉ and Franc Fala,”Wait For You” — Afro-house veteran AMÉMÉ and uo-and-comer Franc Fala deliver an infectious groove pulsing with energy, making it nearly impossible not to move. The song captures a beach club sound, effortlessly transporting you to a tropical beach party no matter where you may be.

Dylan Cartlidge, “New Day” — The first single from Danger Mouse collaborator Dylan Cartlidge’s sophomore album, Lucky Shot, overflows with hope. Cartlidge sings about stepping into the unknown and embracing endless possibilities. His compelling voice, paired with light percussion, contemplative piano chords and airy strings push through the anxiety of leaving a comfort zone. It encourages you to experience something new.

UMI, “Butterfly II” — The former RIFF cover artist wrote “Butterfly II” as a form of therapy during a period of uncertainty in her life. The song’s punchy guitar, heavy drumming and her mellow vocals come together to create a space of understanding. The empowering message acknowledges the challenges of difficult times while offering a comforting reminder that nothing lasts forever—even hardships. The second album by UMI is due next year.

Kuna Maze, “Bristol Changes” — While listening to Goldie’s album Timeless, Kuna Maze (Edouard Gilbert) was inspired to make a jazz track that pays homage to ’90s drum-and-bass music. The title references the capital of the genre and the famously complex chord progression John Coltrane loved to explore, known as the “Coltrane Changes.” The jazz icon’s influence is immediate, with an intricate saxophone line leading the way, paired with the breakbeat and etherial synths.

Joey Sachi featuring AKINAT, “7 Seconds” — Joey Sachi and AKINAT’s new dance track draws inspiration not from the euphoric energy of the dance floor, but from classical musician Clive Wearing. “His life was devastatingly impacted by a rare and severe form of memory loss,” Sachi has said. “The profoundly beautiful part of Clive’s story is that his wife Deborah remained a constant in his life. … His memory resetting every few seconds allowed him to always seek comfort among his fragmented existence.”

The steady beat blends smooth synths with Sachi’s airy vocals. While the lyrical inspiration come from Wearing’s story, the music honors Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams,” simple yet impactful, complementing the melodic vocals.

Guinevere, “Little Blue Gin” — The opening song on Guinevere’s first full-length album, ALL THE LOST SOULS, “Little Blue Gin” is a lullaby the artist wrote to her younger self, reassuring that everything will be OK. She’s described the album as “a diary of healing,” intended for both herself and her listeners. The song’s gentle piano sets a reflective mood, complementing her evocative vocals—she sounds somewhere between Norah Jones and Billie Eilish. It carries a disarming quality. The album, released last week,  explores themes of grief, loss and mental health.

Peter’s Pick: As winter approaches, I find myself longing for the warmth of summer, and battle the early touches of seasonal depression. “Wait For You” by AMÉMÉ and Franc Fala offers one last taste of summer. Its energetic beat and infectious guitar loop evoke the carefree spirit of warmer days, providing a brief escape from winter’s gloom.