KEMBE X, courtesy Zach Larraz.

Cakes Da Killa, Kembe X and Kneecap show off different flavors of hip-hop, electronic and dance music are represented with tracks from Haywyre, Conner Youngblood and Jaakko Eino Kalevi; and Bay Area legend Narada Michael Walden releases a new tune with Sting, Stevie Wonder and Carlos Santana.

Cakes Da Killa, “Cakewalk” — House beats lead us into this “bassment”-ready track, serving up speedy dubstep and quick, quirky catchphrases. Cakes’ smooth and rhythmic flow match perfectly with the house vibes and fast-paced tempo. A downtempo keyboard-driven interlude breaks up the action before the beat drops and the energy ratchets back up. On the interlude, Cakes Da Killa breaks down into a more poetic flow, measured and silky. A pioneer in the LGBTQ hip-hop community, 33-year-0ld New Jersey rapper Rashard Bradshaw has been making underground house-based music for over a decade.

Haywyre, “White Lie” — This funky, synth-driven EDM song has multiple elements that work in sync to make it a solid danceable track. Kicking off with a Spanish- or Middle-Eastern-sounding synth loop, Haywyre initiates the song with vocals laden with various effects to his warm tenor voice.

Next, layers upon layers of synth melodies and dubstep beat drops wash over the track like waves, building up to a glorious peak. He interjects a slick synth solo between the choruses. The song ends in a muted fashion with silence pierced by an echoing piano. He asks listeners to believe his white lie, “even if it isn’t true,” on a chorus that’ll be echoing in your head for weeks.

Conner Youngblood, “All They Want Is Violence” — Starting with a beat and introducing elements one by one, Conner Youngblood pulls you in gradually into this layered experimental track. The singular phrase in the track, the same as the title, is flipped and twisted in various iterations. He’s said this lyric took him four or five years to write.

The moody sonic aspects recall the likes of Moby or the Chemical Brothers. Inspired by “watching way too many horror movies,” the instrumental came from idea initiated in the studio while recording another song. This is the first new music from Youngblood in five years, and hopefully a sign of more to come.

Kembe X with Hippie Sabotage and Isaiah Rashad, “Rolling Stoned” — Kembe X shows why Top Dawg Entertainment (Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Schoolboy Q) snapped him up. On this hypnotic muted track, produced by Hippie Sabotage and featuring label-mate Isaiah Rashad, the Chicago-born rapper brings his lyricism to the table.

A slickly buzzing string sample sits over cool synth chords and kick drumming and a thumping 808 bass line. Multidimensional lyrics by Kembe X and Rashad froth with double-entendres and deeper meetings. The cadence of their lyrical delivery adds a soulful, melodic element. The single follows October’s “Pole Vaulting.”

Kneecap featuring Grian Chatten, “Better Way To Live” — Irish rap trio Kneecap joins forces with Grian Chatten post-punk band Fontaines D.C., on this catchy and danceable track that adds dancehall and ska to hip-hop. The lyrics speak of striving for the better things in life while trying to avoid toxic habits like pills, drink and getting caught in the mundane. The beat is a throwback recalling early Beastie Boys.

How big is Kneecap? In Ireland, a 2024 biopic about them stars Michael Fassbender (in addition to the trio playing themselves!). They’ll be touring North America in March, playing Oakland’s New Parish on March 30.

Jaakko Eino Kalevi featuring Faux Real, “Hell & Heaven ” — A dramatic keyboard intro introduces this campy, electronic entry, described by the artist as “Baroque-pop.” Faux Real, brothers Elliott and Virgil Arndt, added their touch to a drum track Kalevi gave them. The song is a little Sparks and a little reggae. Kalevi just released a new album, Chaos Magic.

Narada Michael Walden featuring Sting, Stevie Wonder and Carlos Santana, “The More I Love My Life” — Narada Michael Walden has worked with the likes of Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey. The Bay Area resident has Grammys and Emmys to his name. And on the song, he brings none other than Stevie Wonder (that’s him playing harmonica), Carlos Santana and Sting along for the ride.

The self-reflective song merges nostalgic, throwback appeal with pop and multicultural beats. The positive vibes and message have a universal appeal. The song is from just-released album Euphoria. Walden will host a show at 142 Throckmorton Theatre in Mill Valley on Dec. 16.

Mel’s pick: The cloudy, breezy jam by Kembe X fits right in with the change in weather. Its melodic rhythm and penetrating 808 bass is like “Chicken Soup for the Soul” and liquid gold for the ears.

Follow Mel Bowman at Twitter.com/melmichel.