It's hard not to make the Gin Wigmore comparison here, just because they both sound like they smoked a pack of Marlboro Lights last night, washing down the vodka; and, of course, they both have tattoos. With her new single Mountain Song, Kate Vargas gives us a lounge vibe, with some washy lap steel and what sounds like a big frame drum: the final effect is a lurching low-end that pairs well with the double bass.

The production style here is minimal, with great tones from the individual instruments and a distinct lack of vocal harmony. A stripped-down band and a simple rhythm section puts the focus where it belongs: on the dusty cowgirl persona, and the whistleblower lyrics:

“It’s my bones that’s shaking
It’s my blood that’s humming
It’s the end that’s coming
and I can’t get it out of my head
no, no, I can’t get it out of my head”— Kate Vargas

Kate Vargas is a musical artist based in New York City.