Temples, courtesy Molly Daniel.

This week’s tracks go all over the place, musically. Temples are back, and their psychedelic sound has only gotten better. For a bit of alt-country, Carolina Story never disappoints. John Oates makes us wish for a better tomorrow with his beautiful cover and Fences still wears his heart on his sleeve. There’s also a bit of pop from Seafret. Lastly, you can never go wrong with electronic music from Ghost Love or French 79.

Carolina Story, “Let Go” — Nashville married couple Ben and Emily Roberts are the artists behind Carolina Story. Their latest album, Colors of My Mind, comes after a departure from their prior label. “Let Go” is a chugging, foot-stomping, Americana alt-country gem. A pulsating drumbeat propels the song. Ben Roberts’ vocals have an ache to them, yet are somehow soothing. The song transports you with lyrics about hitting rock bottom and having to finally let go. It’s relatable and thankfully not depressing. Carolina Story has really upped its game.

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Temples, “Afterlife” — Ohhhh, hell yeah! British quartet Temples is FINALLY back. It has felt like a lifetime since we’ve heard anything from this band. Its last album, Hot Motion, was released in 2019. On “Afterlife,” dreamy grooves meet their signature psychedelic sounds. The guitars sound spacey and futuristic. The song has an otherworldly feel. Temples’ lead singer and guitarist James Bagshaw has said the song “reflects on long distance relationships and how love and isolation often can find themselves next to one another.” Temples’ forthcoming album, Exotico, comes out in April and was produced by Sean Lennon. Can’t wait for this one to drop.

Ghost Love, “Iconic” — Montreal trio Ghost Love may have one of the best album titles ever: Mourners Disco. You can feel that ’80s darkwave brooding in the title. “Iconic” is a danceable synth-pop gem. If you can’t afford to see Depeche Mode in concert, hopefully you’ll check out Ghost Love. The song has high falsettos, like Bronski Beat crossed with the intoxicating beats of The XX. The song is atmospheric, moody and has infectious drum machine embellishments. “Iconic” is guaranteed to give you that trance-like feel and get you out on the dance floor. Imagine if Erasure has gone to the dark side, and you get Ghost Love.

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Fences, “Thin Legs” — Christopher Mansfield is the artist behind Fences. On his latest album, Bright Soil, due out in August, he put together an all-star lineup to accompany him. But the genius of Fences comes from his heartfelt songs written in beautiful prose. “Thin Legs” is shimmering and bright with warm vocals that engulf you. Mansfield swoons, and he and his wife, Maxine’s, vocals meld together beautifully. The song has an emotional pull, and yet you can still feel the spirituality.

“‘Thin Legs’ is about being tired… just wanting out,” Mansfield has said of the song. “You ever carried a baby after a hike and their legs dangle? It’s like that, stay and sway, kicking black boots on the end of thin legs.”

Seafret, “Wonderland” — Seafret is a folk-pop duo from London by way of Bridlington, a coastal town in central England. “Wonderland” is the self-titled track off its third album. The song is a fun, jangly pop jam. It’s a blast of light, fresh air, with catchy driving beats that will have your foot tapping along. It brims with energy with a big anthemic sound and soaring vocals from Jack Sedman. The song seems to have wings.

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John Oates, “Why Can’t We Live Together” (Timmy Thomas cover) – John Oates should need no introduction, but for the younger generation, he’s half of legendary pop duo Hall & Oates. Sadly, “Why Can’t We Live Together” is still so resonant and needed. On the original, Timmy Thomas used a drum machine and his searing, haunting vocals. On Oates’ version, there’s the doo-wop sound with pop sensibilities. Oates has his signature soulful vocals and a ’70s easy listening groove. Plus, Oates adds in an electric sitar riff. “Why Can’t We Live Together” is the third single from his series of tracks that he will release each month.

French 79, “Life Is Like” – French electronic artist and songwriter Simon Henner, also known as French 79, releases his latest album, Teenagers, this May. “Life Is Like” is an aural journey. It starts off light and meditative as the song starts to build. The video is the journey of a young boy who gradually gets older as the music starts to come to life. The song is dreamy and has a nostalgic feel to it, becoming a beautiful passage of time with continuous loops and a hypnotic beats. It’s hard not to get lost in it.

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Rachel’s Pick: It’s probably not hard to tell I am a huge fan of Temples. I remember first seeing them live in a mostly empty field in the hot sun at SXSW. And these guys stepped out of the ’60s to come play in their bell bottoms and big hair. Their sweet psychedelic pop was heavenly, and it’s only continued. I was elated to hear their new song, and it went further than I could have dreamed. It’s futuristic and out of this world. It still has the jangly Laurel Canyon sound filled with psychedelic guitars and James Bagshaw’s sweet falsetto. I can’t wait for this album!

Follow writer Rachel Goodman at Twitter.com/xneverwherex and Instagram.com/xneverwherex.