Nikka Costa, courtesy Bobbi Rich.

This week we bring you an enchanting Celtic ode from Rose Betts, a dance banger from Nikka Costa, a gentle piano ballad by Jennifer Castle, an elegant arrangement from Alex Izenberg, cinematic pop by Sarah Kinsley and an Americana rocker by Kevin Gordon.

Rose Betts, “Come Away” – U.K.-born Rose Betts is one of director Zack Snyder’s favorite singers for when he wants to bring the drama. Her songs have been featured in both “Justice League” and “Rebel Moon.” Remember that fun sea shanty thing during the pandemic? You’ll get some of those vibes in “Come Away,” but also a more modern Celtic sound with electric guitar and bass. “I took you for a sailor/ For a man without a shore,” Betts sings with a strong voice. She’ll be touring the U.S. this fall, including Café du Nord in San Francisco on Sept. 14.

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Nikka Costa, “Dance N’ Forget” – I was so excited to see that “Like a Feather” singer Nikka Costa’s fifth album is coming out soon. “Dance N’ Forget” gives us a taste of what promises to be a deliciously danceable record. Funky and soulful like Costa’s music always is, it’s perfect for when you want to forget all your troubles and hit the dance floor. Perfect for summertime grooving! Dirty Disco is out on Aug. 16, and Nikki Costa will be playing Cornerstone Berkeley on Sept. 22.

Jennifer Castle, “Blowing Kisses” – If you’ve been watching “The Bear” (and if you’re not, you should be!), you might have already gotten to the part in the penultimate episode where this song plays. How it got there is an interesting story, too. Canadian singer-songwriter Castle used to work at a restaurant in Toronto with Matty Matheson, who plays Neil Fak on the show (and is a chef/restaurateur in real life). She sent him the song and he shared it with the TV show’s team, which is already been batting a thousand with needle drops. This beautiful piano ballad turned out to be perfect for the scene.

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Alex Izenberg & The Exiles, “An Obscured Odyssey” – There’s something so immediately classic about singer-songwriter Izenberg’s “An Obscure Odyssey” when you hear it. It has a ’70s sort of grandeur to it, but also the intimacy of a band like Fleet Foxes. Elegant and melodic, strings and pedal steel augment Izenberg’s understated vocals. It’s his fifth album, but Alex Izenberg & The Exiles is Izenberg’s first-ever album recorded with a full band; it’s out on July 26.

Sarah Kinsley, “Last Time We Never Meet Again” – Sarah Kinsley has opened for Mitski and Weyes Blood, and if you like them, you might just love her voice and this cinematic pop song. Written about parting with a longtime friend, “Last Time We Never Meet Again” grapples with celebrating what the friendship had been, and the worlds it opened for both of them, even as it ends. Her debut album, Escaper, is out Sept. 6, and she’ll be playing at The Independent on Sept. 19.

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Kevin Gordon, “Simple Things” – There are shades of Tom Petty on this Americana rocker from Nashville singer-songwriter and poet Kevin Gordon. There’s some joyous pedal steel in this song that, on the surface, is about enjoying the simple things in life after being stuck at home during the pandemic. But it’s also about Gordon celebrating being able to sing and perform again after being treated for throat cancer. He’s cancer-free now, and his new album, The In Between, was mixed by the legendary Tchad Blake, and is out on Sept. 13.

Rachel’s pick: “Dance N’ Forget,” Nikka Costa. This track really did make me want to dance my cares away! It’s so upbeat and groovy. I think Nikka is way underrated and underappreciated in general as a musician, and I’m excited to hear the new album!

Follow Rachel Alm on Twitter at @thouzenfold, on Instagram at @thousandfold, and on Bluesky at @thousandfold.bsky.social.