Montell Fish, courtesy Brandon Minton.

This week’s edition offers a perfect balance of fun, mystery and emotion. We have Moroccan-Turkish tones from Kit Sebastian. Montell Fish and Drew Parker have us in our feelings, Deb Fan shares a new perspective and we turn up with Ric Wilson and Lesibu Grand.

Ric Wilson featuring Mayer Hawthorne, Party Pupils and Brasstracks, “We Aight”  —  A blend of jazz, disco and hip-hop, “We Aight” carries all the elements of a summer anthem. Born and raised in Chicago, Wilson has said that the track came into fruition last year, when the fan of funk wanted to make a song that felt like a Chicago or Detroit house party. He and throwback artist Mayer Hawthorne channeled their memories. Ric Wilson is a master of fusing genres to create the perfect party track.

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Kit Sebastian, “Faust” — The London duo of Kit Martin and Merve Erdem take listeners through a psychedelic jaunt fusing Moroccan and Turkish tones with ’60s-influenced pop. The track features the bağlama, a string instrument that introduces the song and later becomes a key character, adding mystery and suspense. The Faustian story is about a man’s obsessive quest to succeed to a point he loses his soul. Erdem’s hazy voice and Martin deep bass play against each other. The song is enchanting, exotic, experimental and has the power to teleport you to another universe.

Drew Parker, “Love The Leavin” — From his debut album, Camouflage Cowboy, “Love The Leavin” is a country love song that explores resilience in a relationship. “Let me kiss that goodbye off your lips,” Parker sings. His voice and lyricism carries soul and honesty that automatically puts you in your feelings. The album, due July 12, is a window into his life, relationship with friends and family, and his struggles. The song is beautifully produced; Parker’s hearty voice complements the warm instrumentation, and the video is a cherry on top.

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Lesibu Grand, “Anarchy” — With fun guitar riffs, wild unswerving drumming and existential lyrics, “Anarchy” is about destruction and rebellion with a playful twist. I enjoyed how this Atlanta rock band conceals its heavy dark message on a Kitsch and fun backdrop (a “Jetsons”-themed video!). Off of debut album Triggered, (Aug. 16), Lesibu Grand’s tongue-in-cheek social commentary and perky energy is refreshing and exciting.

Deb Fan, “Closer to Hell” —  “You can never tell, we don’t know who is closer to hell,” L.A. artist-producer Deb Fan sings. The song carries an alluring haunting energy. Inspired by Fan’s yearning to answer heavy philosophical questions, it constantly changes the tempo and is filled with long, eerie pauses that shift the song to a different pace, almost like a suite. This is the second single from her forthcoming debut EP, Kowloon Demos, out in July. I love how Deb Fan plays with duality; playing on darkness and light, heaven and hell, right and wrong.

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Montell Fish, “Is It A Crime?” — The heavy guitar riffs alone deserve a standing ovation. This song is so Prince-coded; with powerful falsettos, sexy lyrics and luminescent guitar strains, it has rockstar energy. “Is it a crime?/ You’re on my mind?” I love how the lyrics sit in a gray area. On a good day, it’s a beautiful love song. On another, it’s heartbreaking and tragic. There’s a sense of yearning and confusion that Montell Fish tries to unpack in his music. There’s also a relatable loneliness with which many will connect.

Dumi’s pick: I love how the way I relate to the lyrics and energy on the Montell Fish song depend on the day I’m having. Some days I’m hopeful and in love, and other days I am heartbroken and confused.

Follow Dumisani Mnisi at Twitter.com/nairobi_1899 and Instagram.com/nairobi_1899.