What does it mean for music to be “live” anymore? In an era of backing tracks, digital corrections, and performances polished to a frictionless gleam, the term has lost some of its meaning. It often signifies little more than the physical presence of a performer on a stage. But then, an album like Udeigwe’s "Live in Williamsburg" appears, and it serves as a powerful reminder...

Monrad's latest EP "Not by Design" dives into the complexities of middle age with unflinching honesty and gritty musical prowess. "Not By Design" is Monrad's newest album. He is a great Belgian singer-songwriter who lives in Kortrijk. The emotional and mental problems of middle age are at the heart of "Not By Design," a six-track album that looks at life's big questions. Each song on this album...