Clockwise from top left: Ambar Lucid, Luna Li, Samm Henshaw, Sarah Neufeld, Trade Wind, Andrea von Kampen and Vacation Manor.

Whether you’re listening to the vibrant dream-pop of Luna Li, ambient strings of Sarah Neufeld or psychedelic trip-hop vibes from Ambar Lucid, this week’s selections are a treat for the ears. We round out the best songs of the week with Samm Henshaw, Trade Wind, Andrea von Kampen and Vacation Manor.

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Andrea von Kampen, “Take Back Thy Gift” — The sensitive guitar-picking styles of Nebraskan Andrea von Kampen and her clear, plain vocals are perfectly matched to this beautiful song that balances a wistful look back with tentative hope. The lyrics are dense with allusion to Tennyson, whose poem “Tithonus” inspired the song—but von Kampen shifts the perspective, adding a “Woman of the dawn,” who “Rises in the East.” It’s a poem about reconciliation with human frailty that takes on a less gothic cast. Newly signed to Fantasy Records, Andrea von Kampen joins the likes of Paul Simon and Ry Cooder. From the sound of it, her spot is well deserved as she brings fresh energy to traditional folk elements with loads of quiet power.

Ambar Lucid, “Get Lost in the Music” — This retro-cool slice of psychedelia from Ambar Lucid is upbeat trip-hop for dark times, with sounds lifted from dusty grooves and introspective moments that highlight this singer’s range. “Psychedelic” is a label that gets thrown around a lot, but Ambar Lucid isn’t kidding as she sings, “Magic mushrooms singing to me/ Telling me all of the answers are in front of me.” The video feels inspired by esoteric filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky, as it evokes tarot and Día de los Muertos, suggesting a spiritual journey that doesn’t rule out an encounter with danger and death, or strange guides along the Fool’s Journey. The way “Get Lost in the Music” mashes up the aesthetics and sounds of oldies, hip-hop, Latin and soul feels like something new.

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Samm Henshaw featuring Keyon Harrold, “Still Broke” — On “Still Broke,” British-Nigerian singer Samm Henshaw follows up 2018 single “Broke” with a wry commentary on what it really means to make it. Henshaw’s laid-back soul style is similar to John Legend, but without the edges sanded down. The loose, organic production—busy but not crowded—makes for a good blend with the instrumental stylings of Missouri trumpeter Keyon Harrold. Toward the end of the song, Henshaw’s gospel roots come into full display—his start in music was writing songs for church in his teens—with an uplifting choral arrangement in friendly competition with Harrold’s horn.

Trade Wind, “Bishop” — It’s always a good thing when you pause and ask yourself, “What exactly am I listening to here?” The sound Trade Wind creates on “Bishop” is hard to place, landing somewhere between post-rock, bedroom-pop, trip-hop and folk. Trade Wind knows what it’s doing here, as the group’s members all hail from different bands, often playing metal and hardcore. This group feels like a place to experiment. And it’s interesting what they’re doing: a dark, personal vision with moody piano chords alongside Jessy Barnett’s raspy, then melodic vocals. It feels like quieter music designed for people who generally like heavy stuff; music to brace you for bad news.

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Sarah Neufeld, “Detritus” — Sarah Neufeld might still be most widely known as a violinist for Arcade Fire, standing out with an instrument uncommon in rock. But with the release of Detritus she’s now added a third album to her growing body of independent music. Starting with a low drone, then building waves of ambient sound from violin and electronics, the self-titled single from the new album is both soft and rough, sounding both ethereal and raw. Like great fellow rock violinist Warren Ellis, Neufeld has a willingness to leave the rough and scraping earthiness of the instrument in the work, along with using its capacity to make beautiful textures or sing like a voice.

Vacation Manor, “Parachute” — Courting nostalgia without wallowing in it, Virginia duo Vacation Manor’s “Parachute” successfully pulls off a mood. “It’s taking shape now as I’m getting older/ I’m sitting back while the story unfolds,” Nathan Towles sings, following it with the desire to cast off the restraints of playing it safe, but not being able to fully trust what will follow. Vacation Manor’s jangling pop sound on “Parachute” is reminiscent of some of the best of ’80s and ’90s alternative, calling to mind Johnny Marr’s guitar atmospherics for the Smiths.

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Justin’s pick — I really had two favorites this week: Luna Li’s “Alone But Not Lonely” and Andrea von Kampen’s “Take Back Thy Gift.” The former, despite its repetition, demanded repeated listens. I found it just put me in a good mood with its depiction of what has to be one of the best feelings ever: being by yourself and contented to be that way. Striking a far more somber tone, Andrea von Kampen’s track is gorgeous, haunting even, offering depth on revisiting the lyrics and the Alfred, Lord Tennyson poem from which she drew. “Tithonus” is about a prince given a terrible gift: immortality without eternal youth, which Tennyson uses as a way to explore making peace with death. Coming out now, I couldn’t help but wonder if von Kampen is processing her own loss, or the widespread grief of people lost during the pandemic. Either way, “Take Back Thy Gift” is itself a gift, from the singer to us.

Follow writer Justin Allen at Twitter.com/_justinallen_.