Yola, courtesy Valeria Rios.

This week we bring you Americana from Mindy Smith, samba by Rogê, blues from Larkin Poe, synth-pop by Zimmer90 and Skateland, soul from Yola, power pop from Crash Harmony and folk by Sunsetto.

Mindy Smith, “Jericho” – Americana darling Mindy Smith’s last album was 12 years ago, but she’s finally back with new music, including this beautiful, haunting song co-written with Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Matraca Berg. You can hear hints of Fleetwood Mac in the guitar playing and harmonies, as well as some more country-ish touches. The song is all about how love can break down any walls, like the biblical walls of Jericho. Smith’s sixth album, Quiet Town, is out on Oct. 4.

***

Rogê, “100% Samba” – Rogê is an idol in Brazil, well-known for his blend of traditional Brazilian rhythms mixed with modern influences. Now that he’s moved to Los Angeles from Rio de Janeiro, he’s bringing his samba-funk to Americans. This song is a musical journey tracing the roots of samba from Angola to Brazil, but after hearing this groove, you’ll agree that samba is for everyone. His new album, Curyman II, is out Nov. 22.

Skateland, “Sunset Cinema” – Dorian Williams II, is a singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist based in Austin, Tex. who performs as Skateland. His bedroom pop has been making waves on the DIY scene. This sparkling synth-pop gem is all about the difficulty of saying goodbye and moving on.

***

Crash Harmony “Orange Background” – Crash Harmony was a big part of the New Haven, Conn. rock scene in the ’90s. The band broke up 30 years ago, but now it’s reunited to finally record an album, with producer Ray Ketchem (Guided by Voices, Gramercy Arms). The band had formed in 1986 at Yale and says the song is “a letter from our college selves to our grown selves.” “Orange Background” is a little slice of garage rock/power pop heaven. Their (debut!) album, No One Asked For This, is out Oct. 18.

Zimmer90, “Feel Like We Used To” – This Stuttgart, Germany duo plays dreamy synth-led rock that will have you thinking of Phoenix and AIR. “Feel Like We Used To” evokes the melancholy feeling of summer fun ending, so it seemed a fitting choice for the first week of fall. After going viral with “What Love Is,” Zimmer90 has been selling out headline shows all over Europe. They’ll be in North America for the first time this year, including a Popscene show at Rickshaw Stop on Nov. 20.

***

Yola, “Future Enemies” – British singer-songwriter Yola is back! Yola has one of the most dynamic voices today. She’s won multiple U.K. Americana awards and has been twice-nominated for Grammys. She calls her sound “genre-fluid,” and while her last few albums were Americana-flavored, she got her start on the Bruk scene with Bugz in the Attic. Her new material finds her drawing from her soul roots. “Future Enemies” is all about realizing you’re probably not going to get along with someone and just hopping out to save yourself the trouble. Her new EP, My Way, is out Nov. 15.

Sunsetto, “She’s the Whole World” – Canadian alt-popper Sunsetto (Kyle Mischiek) brings us this mellow, romantic acoustic guitar tune with big Jack Johnson vibes. “I know there’s still a million things on earth I haven’t seen/ And if I never do it’s fine with me/ If I only go to Rome or Paris in my dreams/ ‘Cause she’s the whole world to me,” Sunsetto sings. Awww. Sunsetto’s debut album, THE SUN, THE MOON & THE BIG MACHINE, will be out Oct. 4.

***

Rachel’s pick: There are a lot of great choices this week, but I’m excited about Yola’s new direction. Frankly, she could sing the phone book and I’d get in line to hear it.

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