Janet Devlin’s new single, “Houston,” arrives as a gleeful contradiction, a two-stepping Americana anthem for the sovereign state of one. It has all the upbeat, country-rock fixings for a roadside sing-along, yet its heart is miles away, floating in a self-imposed, wonderfully stubborn vacuum. The track opens, and you’re ready for a communal good time; instead, you find yourself at a party where the...

The melodic cadence and instrumentation aren't the only abilities that performers in the Canadian rap business bring to the table; they also bring a wealth of other skills. Introducing Daniel Nwosu Jr., better known as Dax, an artist whose journey from Wichita, Kansas, to the worldwide music arena has been marked by a story that is evocative of a cinematic experience. Dax's journey began in Wichita,...