"Pyromaniac" is the newest single from South London singer-songwriter Esari, and it's both distinctive and calming in its way. The song sounds great, representing a daring and enthusiastic honor! The song pays tribute to the powerful, alluring women who leave a lasting impression—the "hell-raising queens"—and their ability to evoke deep emotions in others. It's a stunning tribute to their captivating personality and captivating charm—the type that...

Take Jack Horton, a Portland-based singer-songwriter whose path to folk-Americana included stops at Japanese law school, Tokyo piano bars, corporate boardrooms, and government offices. His latest EP, "Imperfections," feels like finding someone's private journal set to music. And that someone happens to write really, really well. The five-song collection opens with "Set Me Free," a piano-driven confession that might surprise anyone expecting typical breakup bitterness. Horton...