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...

Especially in today's music scene, which is always changing, not many singers can capture the mood as well as Joe Lington. Lington makes music that ties together the complicated lines of American R&B stars like Sisqo and Keith Sweat. He does this from the lively streets of Ireland to the world stage. Lington is not only a singer, but also a link between different countries...