Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. 

If you are in the mood for an upbeat song to blast on your way to school, or to dance alone to in your room, check out this indie-pop party anthem by Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. The Detroit band recently made an appearance at the Bowery Ballroom and filled the set with bubbles and synth-heavy sounds from its latest album “The Speed of Things.” Playing “If You Didn’t See Me [Then You Weren’t On The Dancefloor]” as its final encore, the band followed their own advice and joined the audience on the dance floor. It is impossible to not find the colorful chorus catchy, and Jr. Jr.’s electronic beat will definitely help you power through your next 10-page paper. — Dana Reszutek, Managing Editor

Dave Brubeck

Because it is almost the holidays, jazz slowly starts creeping into my music repertoire, and Dave Brubeck is my go-to artist. His music is perfect for your morning commute, walking around campus or studying in the evening. Get your jazz fix with his “Dave Brubeck’s Greatest Hits” album, and you will feel calm, cool and collected — though not too cool — as the temperature starts to drop. “Take Five” is a personal favorite, but Brubeck offers cool jazz for any fan of the genre. — Jordan Melendrez, Editor-at-Large

Screaming Maldini

Founded across the pond in the land of fish and chips, British progressive pop band Screaming Maldini will certainly show up on your new list of favorites. With a mixture of playful lounge-style tracks, strong ballads and uplifting anthems, Screaming Maldini’s 2013 self-titled album is at once fun and educational for easy listeners and musical theorists alike. Countless key changes, time signature variations and bold instrumentation make this album a whirlwind of energy. Fan favorites include the tracks “Summer Somewhere” and “The Silver Mountain.” — David Bologna, Beauty & Style Editor

Red Hot AIDS Benefit Series

The latest in the Red Hot AIDS Benefit Series, “Red Hot + Arthur Russell,” features a diverse group of musicians including Jose Gonzalez, Robyn, Devendra Banhart, Phosphorescent, Glen Hansard, Hot Chip, Cults, Scissor Sisters and more. These artists cover a selection of songs and demos left behind by the eclectic New York musician and composer Arthur Russell when he died of AIDS in 1992. The compilation does a fine job of showcasing not only Russell’s wide-ranging, genre-spanning musical talents, but also that of the inventive artists paying him tribute. Some highlights include Blood Orange’s jazzy and rhythmic take on “Is It All Over My Face & Tower of Meaning,” and Rubblebucket and Nitemoves soaring, brass-laced interpretation of Russell’s previously unfinished song “Eli.” — Ife Olujobi, Entertainment Editor

A version of this article appeared in the Wednesday, Nov. 19 print edition.