The new single "Nous Deux" by Tendo is a mesmerizing example of how a variety of sounds, coupled with a beautiful and commanding voice, provide an enthralling effect. With its closeness and comfort, this song is perfect for the days leading up to summer and will make listeners think of loved ones. As a sonic excursion that engulfs you in a rich, personal realm, its comprehensive...

Robin James Hurt’s “A Song, A Story Told” arrives with a sound you can almost run a thumb over, like worn corduroy. In an age of sterile, diamond-polished productions, this album is a defiantly handmade thing, tracked onto vintage cassette machines. The result is not a flaw, but an ingredient. A faint, persistent hiss breathes alongside the instruments, a ghost in the machine who...