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...

"My Star" is the name of Hughdem's new song, a tribute to Dilla, which he released from his home in Hampshire. This song is a contemporary reinterpretation of a Jaylib hit, reworking the original with new ideas and a different style. Dynamic and captivating, it combines soulful samples with powerful 808s and a danceable rhythm. The lyrics tell a heartfelt love narrative, evoking the thrill and...