Allison Kane is one of the few artists with the inborn capacity to weave complex tales with their words, but the fact remains. Recently released by the American vocalist, "Next Life" tells the heartbreaking tale of a love that has been shattered by forces beyond either person's control, leaving a gap that no amount of time or effort can seem to heal. The upbeat pop/punk song takes...

Empty Pinata – remember LA Rodriguez? – serves up the single "Bonfire," and honestly, the air changes slightly when you play it. It’s less like passively listening and more like discovering a singed diary page fluttering down a quiet street. The music itself is this curious contradiction, wrapping harrowing emotional shrapnel in the comforting gauze of indie-pop, flecked with soft rock warmth. A strangely...