Clockwise from top left: Sofi Tukker featuring Amadou & Mariam, Cola Boyy, Gunnar Gehl, Wye Oak, Ladyhawke, The Academic, BC Camplight and BOY.

By now, at least in California, most of us have been vaccinated. If not, go see your local pharmacy. The hottest ticket may be your vaccination card. While we wait for concerts, are you keeping track of who you want to see? I love my playlists, but sometimes we need to expand! This week we have a variety: Sofi Tukker with Amadou & Mariam, Gunnar Gehl, BOY, The Academic, BC Camplight, Ladyhawke, Wye Oak and Cola Boyy with The Avalanches.

BOY, “Fit Back In” — The opening lines, “Feeling like a stranger in my city and my skin/ Nothing around here reminds me of anything,” captures the song beautifully. The introspective lyrics are apt for the current time, but in actuality it was written before. There’s an emotional depth to Valeska Steiner’s vocals with a warm hook that feels familiar. The song unfolds slowly, bringing lightness and hopefulness thanks to Sonja Glass’ arrangement. German-Swiss duo BOY is back from a six-year hiatus with its third album. A cover of Kim Carnes’ “Bette Davis Eyes” is also worth a listen.

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Sofi Tukker with Amadou & Mariam, “Mon Cherie” — Sofi Tukker paired with Malian duo Amadou & Mariam on this sunny song sung in French, Portuguese and Bambara (a language in Mali). “Mon Cherie” infuses West African chanting with Brazilian beats, creating a lively cacophony of sounds. This Afro-Brazilian funk fusion is all about love and dancing. It doesn’t matter if you can’t understand what they’re singing, you can feel it. Additionally, the guitar riffs will stay with you for days. The track appears on Red Hot + Free, which comes out July 2. Red Hot is a nonprofit dedicated to fighting AIDS through music, pop culture and global anthems.

Gunnar Gehl, “She’s In My Head” — For the lovers of Biebs! When Justin Bieber is passé, don’t rule out the falsetto of Gunnar Gehl. This song is addictive and you want to hate it, but you end up loving it unironically. The chorus is stupid-catchy as Gehl sings, repeatedly, “She’s in my head.” This Newport Beach heartthrob writes teen bops as good as they get. Gehl is sure to get the teen girls playing this song on repeat once it hits the radio and streaming platforms.

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The Academic, “Kids (Don’t End Up Like Me)” — The year 2018 seems a lifetime ago, yet that’s when I first saw The Academic. They were playing a packed show at The Warfield, opening up for The Kooks. The Irish quartet just dropped this bouncy song with infectious hooks. It’s a toe-tapping, head-bopping tune that encourages you to dance. The chorus is a fun sing-along as vocalist Craig Fitzgerald sings, “It’s a shame it’s a shame/ You don’t really wanna know my name.” “Kids (Don’t End Up Like Me)” is destined to be an indie pop anthem.

Cola Boyy featuring The Avalanches, “Don’t Forget Your Neighborhood” — Video calls have never been used so well; and I am 100 percent in. This video is everything… fun, meaningful and most importantly, memorable. Cola Boyy will have you invested from the beginning. But when The Avalanches ask, “What have you been smoking, man?” its laugh-out-loud hilarious. The song is a soulful blend of electronic funk. Add in some French disco, a jazzy groove and the most uplifting chorus ever, and you’ve got a feeling of community.

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Ladyhawke, “Mixed Emotions” — New Zealand’s Pip Brown (aka Ladyhawke) has been releasing electronic dance pop numbers since 2008. Her music can get anyone on the dance floor. “Mixed Emotions” continues with her signature electro sound, yet it has an edginess and grit. The punctuated guitars leads into a contagious disco melody. Ladyhawke’s newest album, Time Flies, will drop in October. Based on a prior released track, “Guilty Love” (with Broods), it’s sure to be a winner. Brown said the song “is about all the things you can feel with one person, sometimes all in a single day. Ups and downs, confusion, highs and lows. And everything in between!”

BC Camplight, “I’m Alright In The World” — I discovered BC Camplight’s prior album earlier this year and loved it. So I was pleasantly surprised when I saw this. The song has an ’80s sound to it as the keys come into the fold. But once the vocals arrive, there’s an added emotional ache. BC Camplight has an earnestness to his vocals, and you can feel the weight of each word. The melody is the real standout.

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Wye Oak, “TNT” — Wye Oak is like an old, warm friend—always there and never forgotten, no matter how much time has passed. The duo of Jenn Wasner and Andy Stack, originally from Baltimore and now in Durham, North Carolina, have been around since 2006. “TNT” has Wasner’s trademark vocals, both haunting and achingly beautiful. The song is dreamy, captivating and ethereal. The video complements the song perfectly with the mood and change of seasons.

Rachel’s Pick: The moment I heard Cola Boyy’s “Don’t Forget The Neighborhood,” I was sucked in. Add to that the creative genius of The Avalanches, and I knew it’d be amazing. The song takes you back to a time of that “Hood you grew up in.” I wanted to be in that world of people coming together, community celebrations and great music. Much like the forgotten radio dial, this song is like switching the stations and hearing all different sounds coming at you. Poor John Carroll Kirby, who just can’t seem to get the password correct. You’ll get it once you watch.

Follow writer Rachel Goodman at Twitter.com/xneverwherex and Instagram.com/xneverwherex.