The Zolas – “Molotov Girls”
“Molotov Girls” is the first track from The Zolas’ third album, 2016’s “Swooner.” Originally released last year on their EP “Wino Oracle,” the sophisticated rock song is inspired by recent riots in Ukraine, according to vocalist Zachary Gray. In the tune, Gray takes on the persona of a discontent partier, singing: “We’re molotov girls and we’re alright/dance it out until the streets heed the night/so tired of being told to keep polite/this is called being alive” over a light and carefree rhythm. The indie-flavored Zolas aren’t Billboard 100 material, but this casual resistance could make it to the airwaves.

K.Flay – “FML”
Stanford-educated and street cred-less rapper K.Flay orchestrated a low-key release for her similarly low-key song, “FML.” Since dropping the track on Spotify on March 18, the rapper has stayed silent about it on social media despite praise and questions from fans. Like tracks from K.Flay’s 2014 album, “Life as a Dog,” “FML’s” lyrics sound less like spitfire poetry and more like a lazy stream of consciousness. Backed by steady synth, K.Flay coolly oscillates between moods: “fuck my life/I love my life.” “FML” is a song fit for a Friday night hangout, perfect for sitting back and contemplating life.

Wintergatan – “Marble Machine”
The immensely talented group Wintergatan hails from Sweden and has recently gained well-deserved international viral fame with “Marble Machine,” a feat of both engineering and art. “Marble Machine” is, literally, a purely instrumental piece played by 2,000 marbles making their way through a 3,000 part machine built over the course of 14 months. Even if instrumental music isn’t your thing, the song deserves a listen for its creativity and its unique, buoyant chiming tones.

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – “No Love Like Yours”
In “No Love Like Yours,” singer Alex Ebert breaks into upbeat falsetto in a sentimental tribute to a lover. The 10 members of the ensemble hit their stride with “No Love Like Yours” with a go big or go home attitude: On March 10, the group debuted a Western-tinged video directed by movie star Olivia Wilde and shot on iPhones in preparation for the release of 10-track album “PersonA” on April 15. Although this song is hardly the next “Home,” the group’s embrace of their folky niche is worth checking out.

#FlashbackFriday

Connie Converse – “How Sad, How Lovely”
This Flashback Friday tune definitely qualifies as a throwback. “How Sad, How Lovely” dates back to the 1950s, when singer-songwriter Connie Converse was an active but unknown member of Greenwich Village’s budding music scene. Despite being over 60 years old, her forlorn and profound narrative songs like “How Sad, How Lovely” could easily pass for modern melodies. The underappreciated Connie Converse disappeared under heartrending circumstances in 1974, though her pioneering music has been rediscovered in the 21st century.