Menol HNC, a talented artist born to Dominican parents on the idyllic island of Saint Martin, has emerged as a vibrant force in the music industry. Inspired by the rich cultural diversity of his upbringing, Menol HNC draws inspiration from various traditions, including those of Jamaica, Guadalupe, and Africa, infusing his music with a captivating fusion of sounds. From a young age, Menol HNC discovered the...

Sam Ostler’s new single, “Lights,” then. It unfolds less like a sudden, intrusive glare and more like the slow, determined burn of a really good stage light finally finding its mark after a prolonged blackout. It’s pop, yes, vibrant and undeniably contemporary as advertised – clean lines, clear intentions. Yet, there’s a certain satisfying heft beneath the melodic uplift, a feeling that these notes...