Ava Valianti represents something increasingly rare in contemporary music: genuine precocity without artifice. This Massachusetts artist, who is only fifteen years old, handles general themes with a level of emotional depth that is shocking. She shows that youth can bring out the best in complicated human experiences, rather than hiding them. "Distant," her sixth single, functions as a sonic archaeology of friendship's dissolution. The track excavates layers...

TWOFEW’s new single, “Let It Go,” lands with the resonant thud of a heartfelt admission, the kind you only make when the room’s too loud to be properly heard. This Phoenix, Arizona quartet – Michael Lazar leading on vocals and keys, David Lazar wrestling with guitar, John Sebring on drums laying down a defiant pulse, and Danielle Lazar anchoring the low end on bass...