The first listen of Haus of Sound’s new single, “Mirage,” is like walking into a room where a beautifully ornate vase has just been shattered against a wall. There's a jagged, crystalline energy here, a collision of theatrical drama and raw, modern discontent. Evolving from their 2000s tribute roots, the Everett band has synthesized the best of that era’s angst—the coiled tension of early...

Sam Akins' new song "i'm fine, i'm ok" delves into themes of inner power, tenacity, and the disparity between how someone displays themselves to the outside and their hidden troubles. This is a prominent theme in music and art because it may speak to many people who have suffered terrible times in their lives, as the song portrays the notion that even when confronted with...