Some pop songs are built for escapism. They offer a three-minute vacation from the weight of things. Paul Jenner, the creative force behind the musical project 50mething, seems uninterested in this kind of holiday. His work is consistently grounded in the here and now, tackling the social and political agitations of our time with a composer’s ear and a critical eye. His 2026 single, “You Can’t...

Ivelisse del Carmen, a Puerto Rican singer-songwriter crafting sonic tapestries in London, has just released "Las Mariposas," a single that… well, it sort of feels like watching a beautifully choreographed dance between a raincloud and a sunbeam. A contradictory concoction that tastes great. Seriously, try doing that, rainclouds plus sunbeams, add milk, let me know what you got. https://open.spotify.com/track/4u3hpVdutakym3bnr7kW71?si=7bf8e465d5b6410d The theme, if you were to put...