Odetta Hartman, courtesy.

Battle-call-like rock from Nadine Shah, a throwback from Caravan Palace, DRAMA and Flight Facilities’ low-key dance jam, The Ivy’s sad-boy surf rock, creepy alt-pop by Odetta Hartman, a ’90s-like rap cut by Nappyhigh, Mick Jenkins and Memnoc, a heavy-hitting track by Wind Walkers and a dance jam by Joy Anonymous that reminds us to embrace our happiness makes the list.

Nadine Shah, “Topless Mother” — “Topless Mother” is a powerful song that grabs you from the very beginning and takes you for a ride. Nadine Shah combines her deep, purposeful vocals with a shredding guitar, a warlike beat and background chants to help amp the energy up. The mix of grungy guitar lines, guttural chants and aggressive percussion makes this song feel like a bridge between modern and ancient times.

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Caravan Palace, “MAD” —  Caravan Palace’s electric jazz track features angry lo-fi vocals paired with the big band brass sound that come together to really set the scene. But there’s more! The dark and disorienting video is a throwback to early Disney animation (just not for kids today). It matches perfectly with what was playing in my head on my first listen. This song feels like being lost on a dark night in 1930s New York City, in black and white, of course. The production is really well done, blending modern beats and effects with that jazzy big band sound seamlessly.

DRAMA featuring Flight Facilities, “Dollar $hort” — Hop on the this warm bass line as it guides you through this soulful funky jam. DRAMA and Flight Facilities have succeeded in providing another gem for your local cool kid bar to throw into the rotation. Via Rosa’s soft voice and emotional lyrics pair beautifully with this disco-inspired track in a way that makes it impossible for me to not bob my head as I listen along.

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The Ivy, “Street Dog” — This sad-boy surf rock track mimics a wave in its structure as it progresses from a chill melodic loop, builds to a shredding, screeching guitar, and crashing to a halt. The Ivy’s contemplative lyrics here were inspired by observing homeless dogs in Mexico. A “Street Dog” might not have a home, but can feel at home anywhere. “Street dog/ Walking like he owns the place/ He keeps on/ Talking ’til he’s had a taste/ But he’s still more/ Welcome in this town than me/ The tree I’m barking up is too tall to see,” Wyatt Clem sings. Maybe having it all isn’t all it’s cracked up to be?

Odetta Hartman, “Dr. No”  — The entrance horns to “Dr. No” give you a warning something is coming in the latest song from Odetta Hartman, whether you’re “ready or not.” The “American Horror Story” vibes are strong in this one, making it a great addition to any Halloween playlists you might be putting together. Her eerie vocals, combined with background screams and crying strings, set the tone. The electric instrumentation and vocal effects make it creepy in a cool way. I could see it as the theme for a “James Bond” movie.

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Nappyhigh featuring Mick Jenkins and Memnoc, “MadHatter” — Producer Nappyhigh teams up with Mick Jenkins and Memnoc to create a rap track with a classic feel. With an aggressive vocals and hypnotizing beat, this is a ’90s rap song made in 2023. The heavy driving bass is balanced out nicely by the bouncing bells. Jenkins and Memnoc lay down smooth and thoughtfully clever rhymes, such as, “The only thing that ever ages is this skin that is designed for me to live in/ So when I leave I’ll be back in my prime.” Another of my favorites: “I’m in my duffle like a three-day trip.” The song ends with a goofy outro that ties it all together and lightens the mood.

Wind Walkers, “Dissipate” — This alt-hardcore track features heavy hooking guitar riffs and a catchy chorus. The relatable lyrics and heavy sounds come together to get you in your feels and moving at the same time, which is what I want from heavy rock songs. “Dissipate” brings me back to my days riding the bus home from school, getting lost in my head listening to Three Days Grace. Wind Walkers feature a blend of live and electronic music on this song. It works well here, amping up the energy progressively throughout the song, dipping just enough toward the end to throw it all through the roof in the finale.

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Joy (Anonymous), “JOY (In Me All The Time)” — Joy (Anonymous) wraps up this week’s list with joyful dance track “JOY (In Me All The Time).” The four-on-the-floor house beat and deep bass forces you to get up and move. This big, high-energy sound is full of positivity, which would make it a blast to experience live. Speaking of which, Joy Anonymous is playing the Independent on Nov. 30. The song, and the entire project by the duo of Henry Counsell and Louis Curran, is a reminder to us that it’s OK to embrace our own happiness and express our joy!

Peter’s Pick: The fascinating instrumentals and the eerie vibes of “Dr. No” coming out a week before Halloween forces me to give it the nod for my pick of the week. The voice of Odetta Hartman is so full of emotion. Along with that lo-fi radio effect, it makes this song too cool to ignore.