With this song, American rapper Frank Black takes a more thoughtful and aware style, rapping about topics that many people from all backgrounds may connect to. The new song "Peaks and Valleys" demonstrates his true interest in conscious matters, and his ability to use his words to highlight critical societal and artistic concerns distinguishes him as an artist with a mission. His songwriting is both interesting...

When you hear the name Stephen Thomas, you might right away think of Charleston, West Virginia, or maybe his own genre name, "Universal" As a label, it does not feel like a neat box. Instead, it feels like an open field where hip-hop and alternative pop music mix. His most recent song, "Breaking Hearts," sounds a lot like that. It utilises sounds from artists like...