Taleen Kali, courtesy James Duran.

Emo gothpunk from Taleen Kali, danceable dream-pop from the Ramona Flowers, a rock love song from the Greeting Committee, folk-rock from The Natural Lines, bluegrass from the Milk Carton Kids, self-aware pop from Precious Pepala and an Americana jam from Ditchbird.

Taleen Kali, “Fine Line” — This week, Taleen Kali song “Fine Line” stayed with me, with its dark, brooding emo rock and gothpunk edge. Mysterious and foreboding, Kali’s vocals are like a hypnotic combination of Debbie Harry and Siouxsie Sue. Kali has said “Fine Line” is about “how much of an impact the smallest of impressions can make. And how they can feel when they fade.” Kali, formerly of L.A. “flowerpunk” band TÜLIPS, started a record label, produced a zine and went on tour during the pandemic, so mad props to her for living out the true DIY punk ethos.

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The Ramona Flowers, “I Dance Alone” — This is the catchiest, danciest dream-pop you’ll ever hear. The Ramona Flowers, a quintet from Bristol, U.K., will make you want to get out of your seat when they sing: “Get up get up and dance/ Wake up, wake up and dance.” This song has a great beat and high energy, with effervescent synths. If you like Phoenix, M83 or Beck’s Colors, this is the song for you.

The Natural Lines, “Monotony” — Fans of Matt Pond PA will be excited to see Pond has formed a new band, called The Natural Lines, with frequent collaborator and multi-instrumentalist Chris Hansen. Their new song, “Monontony,” was inspired by meditation and the art of breathing. Comedian Nikki Glaser stars as Pond’s therapist in the video (stay ’til the end for the bloopers!). The Natural Lines’ self-titled debut album is out next March.

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Ditchbird, “New Routine” — Tony Petersen is from Minnesota and plays guitar for rockers the Social Animals. But he also performs and records solo as Ditchbird, and will soon be releasing his terrific second album, Luck. The first single, “New Routine,” busts out of the gate with bluesy energy. The Americana-style jams that Petersen kicks out with the slide guitar are right up my alley. “I need a new routine to get me through the days,” he sings, and we’ve all been there, right?

The Greeting Committee, “Anything But You” — This is a sweet rock love song produced by Jake Luppen of Hippo Campus. “Sitting in the backseat, I don’t wanna talk about anything but you, anything but you/ Dancing at the party, I don’t wanna think about anything but you, anything but you/ Oh, sometimes I miss you when we’re kissing, have to open my eyes,” Addie Sartino sings. The Greeting Committee is currently in the middle of a headlining tour. Fittingly, the video for “Anything But You” is a fun tour diary-style look at the band on the road.

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Precious Pepala, “Voices” — Precious Pepala, from Sheffield, U.K., is new to the pop scene. She’s only 17, but her knockout voice and thoughtful, introspective lyrics are already a hit on TikTok. “Don’t leave me alone with my head/ When I’m hanging on by a thread/ The silence is heavy/ It might be the death of me,” she sings. She’s described “Voices” as being about the darkness inside our minds, but has said she wants the song to bring comfort to people who feel like her.

The Milk Carton Kids, “When You’re Gone” — Grammy-nominated duo The Milk Carton Kids’ newest single is from the band’s forthcoming record, due in early 2023. I love the way Kenneth Pattengale’s and Joey Ryan’s voices blend when they sing together. The banjo gives this tune a bit more of a bluegrass flavor than we’re used to from the folk duo, and I’m here for it. “The songs you loved to sing, they are still ringing in my ears/ The love you gave to me I am still holding on to all of these years,” Pattengale and Ryan sing.

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Rachel’s Pick: Despite stiff competition, Taleen Kali swooped in like a dark(wave) horse with “Fine Line.” It’s a little dark, a little mysterious and a truly compelling song.

Follow Rachel Alm at Twitter.com/thouzenfold and Instagram.com/thousandfold.