Perhaps it’s hyperbole to say music can put you in a state of mind purely through the sounds and songwriting. But whether it’s concept EPs, hazy meditations on love, or straight grooving through funk-inspired rhythms, the three artists here know exactly how to do that.
Kate Bollinger “Shop Girl”
Before her 2220 Arts + Archives show in LA on Nov. 5, Kate Bollinger is taking on the theatrical on her upcoming EP, Shop Girl, out Oct. 2 via Ghostly International. To preview what she refers to as “songs from an imagined musical,” Bollinger fittingly kicked things off with the title track.
Like the rest of the EP, “Shop Girl” is produced by Jonathan Rado of Foxygen fame, pairing Bollinger’s already finely tuned brand of retro indie-folk and singer-songwriter with vivid imagery that fits the story she’s created.
True to the song’s premise, the narrative centers on a small boutique, with characters coming in and out. At the same time, the ominous piano at the beginning pulls you into the scene, building up towards a crescendo of Bollinger repeating “I am a shop girl.”
Even though Bollinger’s character outlines the monotonous tasks that come with being a shop girl, the combination of theatrical production and ever-compelling vocals makes for an experience that’s anything but mundane.
Listen to “Shop Girl” the new single from Kate Bollinger.
Orca “Dove”
It’s a busy time for Texas duo Orca ahead of their upcoming tour, which includes a show in LA opening for Love Spells at The Roxy Theatre on Oct. 16, but they’re not stopping anytime soon, considering they just released “Dove.” The single marks the first taste of their upcoming, yet-to-be-announced project, setting the bar high for what’s to come.
Both Mylena Velasquez and Daniel Louis lean into familiar territory, with “Dove” featuring their trademark hazy dream pop. Velasquez’s lead and backing vocals, in particular, sound more like gentle ghosts–haunting a house out of reassurance than for scares–as she sings about ordinary love.
In similar respects, the production itself is comforting, acting like the musical equivalent of a soft bed rather than something meant to intimidate you. Whether it’s the flute-like instruments, a hypnotic drum pattern, and pockets where the vocals get to breathe, “Dove” invites you to dive in.
Listen to “Dove” the new single from Orca.
Chinese American Bear “DANCE DANCE DANCE (跳舞跳舞跳舞)”
Although Seattle duo Chinese American Bear already made a splash with their new album, Dim Sum & Then Some, released earlier this year via Moshi Moshi Records, the tracks from the cutting room floor are just as great if “DANCE DANCE DANCE (跳舞跳舞跳舞)” is anything to go by.
Chinese American Bear, composed of Anna Tong and Bryce Barsten, wrote the track in 2025 as a “disco bop” to get themselves in the swing of things. But as they kept working on it, they realized it thrived because of its simplicity.
“It’s a simple song, about getting down to the groove! Bryce had written the bass line & drums first, and we remember listening back and just wanting to bop and move our bodies,” said Tong.
That’s apparent by the way “DANCE DANCE DANCE (跳舞跳舞跳舞)” kicks things off with a smooth bassline, drum claps, and eclectic flourishes to remind you that Tong and Barsten know how to experiment. Even the repetition of “Dance, dance, dance” feels like a spell, with the instrumentation making it hard for you to keep your feet still like it’s magic.
Part of that is the sonic allusions to Kool & The Gang. But the two repurpose the ‘70s energy for something that could’ve only been made in the present and, more importantly, by them only.
Listen to “DANCE DANCE DANCE (跳舞跳舞跳舞)” the new single from Chinese American Bear.
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