The Austin-based songwriter Alex Winters turns the terrifying act of emotional surrender into a towering alt-rock confession. There is a specific kind of silence that occupies a room right before a heavy truth is spoken aloud. It is thick, suffocating, and entirely self-imposed. We build fortresses out of our past traumas, stacking bricks of deflection and mortar of avoidance to guarantee nothing can ever hurt us...

Iona Griffey, a vocalist based in the United Kingdom, has always been committed to providing her listeners with exactly the music they want. With her latest offering, she expands on her previous work in significant ways. Her new album, titled "Lovers & Strangers," features the tune "Hero," which is a showcase of her extraordinary abilities. Iona is an exception in the world of modern electronic pop;...