William The Conqueror, courtesy.

This week we bring you southern rock by William the Conqueror, Congolese rumba by Pierre Kwenders, an atmospheric guitar tune by Far Caspian, pop-punk by Arrows in Action, alt-rock by The Warning and ambient pop by Ane Brun.

William the Conqueror, “The Puppet and the Puppeteer” – Blues and rock-infused guitar riffs set the scene for frontman Joseph Rourri to channel a gritty meta-persona called William the Conqueror. This invented creation might well be the puppeteer pulling the strings for the trio (including bassist Naomi Holmes and drummer Harry Harding). The stakes in this struggle between creator and creation are nothing less than “blissful autonomy,” yet Rourri speak-sings without strain while the rhythm section, uncompromised and unhurried, pushes back with compelling obstinance.

Curious about the encroaching danger of a larger than life creation, William the Conqueror wonders whether the creators and the creation can coexist, “But what would I do without you, my puppeteer?/ I don’t want to know.” We’re left with the sense that this blazing struggle is far from over.  Forthcoming album Excuse Me While I Vanish is out July 28 on Chrysalis Records.

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Ane Brun, “Hand in the Fire” – On this track, layers of knotty percussive elements swirl, rise and then plod beneath Ane Brun’s searing vibrato. Brun is soul-searching here. “Tell me honestly, are you truly free?” she wants to know. We’re not shown the way to freedom, however, even as Brun intones the path with phosphorescent vocals. When she speaks variations of her mantra—”There’s something in my bones shaking loose/ Let it go/ Move on”—symphonic orchestral strings quaver. After all, Brun is asking us to do nothing less than relinquish the narratives holding us back. It’s unsettling, but as the song fades out, Brun’s last lines are firm: You gotta move on.

Pierre Kwenders, “Niata” –  “Niata” opens with a minimal soca-inflected rumba that quickly blooms into a celebratory dancefloor track. Congolese Canadian vocalist Pierre Kwenders sings in a blend of Lingala, English and French about curiosity killing the cat. Kwenders wants to “keep you out of all this trouble” despite the melodious flute flourishes enticing you to let loose for the time being. “Niata” is fun and also wise enough to not to overstay its welcome. Everything in moderation, right?

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Arrows in Action, “Checking In” – Arrows in Action’s singer-guitarist Victor Viramontes-Pattison, drummer Jesse Frimmel and guitarist Matt Fowler created an infectious single rooted in a cheery pop-punk sound reminiscent of Panic! at the Disco. “Checking In” encourages reconnecting with loved ones with whom we’ve lost touch. “Scared to confront how we all changed, I just saw the sun for the first day,” Viramontes-Pattison wistfully sings. The guitar and drums pause for a beat as if they are looking toward the sky. Then the chorus punches through the clouds and the sunshine streams in.

Far Caspian, “Own” – Joel Johnston sings about inevitable estrangement over misty guitar-centric atmospherics on new single “Own.” He wrote, performed, recorded and mixed the melancholic, yet upbeat track. The bittersweet vocals sound far away due to his muted delivery, but the guitar’s steadfastness propels it forward. The cello in particular, which Johnston learned to play just for this recording, brightens the second half of the song. The U.K.-based Irish musician’s forthcoming album, The Last Remaining Light, will be released July 14 on Tiny Library Records.

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The Warning, “More” – The Warning, consisting of Daniela, Paulina and Alejandra Villarreal, shove us into their alt-rock track, “More.” The song by the Monterrey, Mexico trio accelerates into a ferocious chorus. “You know you want it,” they assert as they give us more to want with their colossal sound. Thundering beats keep up the furious pace as Dany asks us, “Why am I sinking when I’m fully grounded?” We could ask ourselves the same question as the electrifying riffage shoots adrenaline through our veins. The Warning is touring North America this May.

Sery’s pick: I can’t wait to hear what more William the Conqueror will create. The video of the performance at Marshall Studios convinced me that they’re even better in-person.