Maria Hubbel of Rochester, New York is one such shining light; she is a talented singer, songwriter, and composer who is creating an entrancing symphony with her strongly expressive voice and flair for writing memorable pop compositions. Some musicians stand out from the rest of the musical galaxy because their distinctive sound has the power to grab listeners and leave them wanting more. Maria may be...

Near Death Experience's single, "Shake," arrived not so much as music, but as a sudden, urgent insistence. It’s London psych-rock-soul alright, but brewed with something fiercely immediate, demanding attention like a ringing telephone in an empty room. The core quartet – Ian Whiteling guiding the trip with vocals and guitar fuzz, Joshua Van Ness laying down a heartbeat that feels both frantic and locked-in,...