This week, we’ve got new releases from Beach House, Charli XCX, Foals and Mitski. Also, discover the sound of Los Angeles artist Dijon and of recent transplant to Minnesota, Raffaella.

Beach House, “Once Twice Melody”

Beach House decided to produce their latest album, Once Twice Melody, entirely by themselves for the first time (and recorded it in part at Pachyderm Studio in Cannon Falls, Minnesota). They have always been a band who live in their own creative world, a soundscape that is distinctively their own. They brought in a live string ensemble, and that live movement gives even more fluidity to the floating daydream of sound on "Once Twice Melody."

Dijon, “Many Times”

“I wasn’t as skilled musically as a lot of people I grew up around,” says Los Angeles musician Dijon, “and I wasn’t as hip, but there was always this idea that, ‘Well, I gotta figure everything out’. So I started this project hell-bent on being the only person involved.” Dijon — the artist name for Baltimore-raised, L.A.-based Dijon Duenas — is carving his own lane on his debut record, Absolutely. A mixture of Americana, folk, R&B, and hip hop come together in skillfully off-kilter songs like "Many Times." With Grammy-nominated producer Andrew Sarlo (Big Thief, Bon Iver) helping out, this is a welcome new sound in 2021.

Charli XCX, “New Shapes” feat. Christine and the Queens and Caroline Polachek

Charli XCX has always been a pop artist with indie cred and chart-topping abilities, a Sia for Gen Z. On "New Shapes," Charli XCX pulls in fellow indie-pop stars Christine and the Queens and Caroline Polachek. It's a disco ball of sadness while the singers explain why they can't be what their partners want them to be.

Raffaella, “Bardot”

“Nothing’s better than a pretty girl singing songs about love,” Raffaella Meloni remarks in her 2020 single “Bardot.” The lyric is tongue-in-cheek, sure, but Meloni is earnestly one of the most promising pop artists in the Twin Cities, having recently moved into a Minneapolis apartment with Jake Luppen of Hippo Campus. Meloni, who performs under her first name, co-wrote the Hippos’ excellent single “Bad Dream Baby” and impressed the crowd at the recent Blossom benefit. She’ll bring her strong stage presence, lilting voice, and many more playful lyrics to the 7th St Entry on Dec. 12. - Cecilia Johnson

Foals, “Wake Me Up”

The U.K. band Foals will have a new album out in 2022 — but for now, just a single, “Wake Me Up.” This was written in a small airless rehearsal room during a bleak winter in the middle of COVID. Instead of a bleak tune, we get a song from a band wanting to feel good and “tap into the physicality of music.”

Mitski, “The Only Heartbreaker”

A frantic '80s beat flutters with anxiety on Mitski's latest single, "The Only Heartbreaker." Released with the announcement of a new album, Laurel Hell (out February 4, 2022), the single debates the qualities of the dumper at the end of the relationship. Mitski brought in songwriter to the stars (and Minnesota Native) Dan Wilson (the Semisonic star who has written with Taylor Swift and Adele, to name just two) to help her reach the depths of sadness in being the “bad guy” in a relationship.

Playlist