My Glass World and their new album, “Stranded Assets,” have barged into my ear-space, rather like that one uncle at a wedding who insists on telling you about his model train collection, but then, confoundingly, reveals a profound truth about the human condition just as you’re reaching for another vol-au-vent. This isn't background music; it’s foreground chaos, beautifully arranged. https://open.spotify.com/album/3gpEQRokHZeUiqcVowd6ie?si=SsoiuiuwSvmQSWcX2K06_Q The British duo, Jamie Telford and...

The first encounter with Asta Bria’s new single, “Dragonfly,” is a calculated disorientation. For an artist who once cozied up to funk’s leisurely sway, this is a sharp turn onto a rain-slicked digital highway. The song’s intent for the dance floor is immediately apparent; a commanding, four-to-the-floor beat acts as a gravitational field, pinning you to the present moment. But hovering just above it...