somebody in hell loves you, the sophomore effort by pop-rock singer-songwriter Sydney Sprague, carries soothing melodies and melancholy lyrics atop shimmering guitars and bombastic drums. Reminiscent of the wave of female singer-songwriter pioneers of the 90’s such as Sheryl Crow or Alanis Morissette, while bringing a modern polish and sensibility, each of the eleven tracks present on this album showcase the artist’s ability to write earnest and heartfelt songs that convey a relatable sense of vulnerability, desperation, angst, and sadness, yet somehow capped with a tinge of optimism. There is a warm and comforting feeling about the album, and Sprague has crafted a truly memorable and impactful listening experience.

Nashville-based alternative pop trio Nightly follow up a string of successful singles with Wear Your Heart Out, an album that maintains that single-motivated mentality. Each song contains infectious hooks and enormous production that could see any selection in its fourteen-track run plucked from the tracklist and placed on its own as a standout single. The band have perfected their formula, crafting a silky compilation of easily digestible and widely accessible pop tunes that hold the ear’s attention and remain caught in one’s head after a single listen, though it is highly unlikely that a listener will only visit this album a single time.

Spanish Love Songs continue to express honest, somber, and visceral emotions on No Joy, the follow-up to 2020’s Brave Faces Everyone. The band blends the sounds of 60’s and 70’s working-class rock music with modern emo confessionals, while also introducing lo-fi electronic elements that take the listener on an intense musical journey. The record’s somber tone does come with a tinge of optimism, however, as vocalist/guitarist Dylan Slocum explains “it’s an album about finding happiness in what you have and your current moment. It might be your best moment, or it might not, but you have to find joy in it.” This universal message of finding and accepting the reality of a situation is widely adoptable and certain to strike a chord with listeners.

California emo outfit Movements make a triumphant return with RUCKUS!, a ten-track collection that perfectly embodies all the trademark properties of the band while simultaneously leaping forward into thrilling new territories. Produced by the band’s longtime collaborator Will Yip, whom the band openly and graciously refer to as its fifth member, this songwriting team proves once again why Movements is a powerhouse of the genre. The band leans back into its post-hardcore roots, with several tracks honing in on the aggression present in their earliest works, delivers classic sing-along emo anthems the band is renowned for, and also taps into a softer, more contemporary-feeling sonic space that has largely been left unexplored by the band prior to this album.