Maverick Smith’s “We Make Fire, They Make Smoke” lands not with a thud, but with the distinct, satisfying crackle of something catching alight. It’s a title that carries the grit of the Ohio Valley in its consonants, a resolute statement from a band – Paige Bosic on commanding vocals and rhythm guitar, Sean Boynes sculpting soundscapes on guitar, Jim Courtney’s intricate drumming, Charlie Kovach’s...

In the ever-shifting topography of modern music, where trends appear and vanish like digital ghosts, a new voice has emerged from Sydney, Australia, with a clarity and purpose that demands attention. At just 14 years old, JNZI has released his debut single, “Speaker,” a track that is already making its presence felt on national radio and beyond. It’s a song that doesn’t just ask...