The recent release of Naeli, a Paris-born artist, "En Passant" ("By the Way"), from the lively second album, is staying on the French music scene to surprise and enchant the listeners once again. This time, Naeli is not just known for her soulful lyrics but also for her mesmerizing stage performances. She again proved that she could grow and attract her audience. From her hit song...

There is a peculiar kind of engine at the heart of "Half Evil" by Tomato Soup, and it runs not on gasoline but on disorientation. The Denver six-piece calls their sound "Motor-Folk," and it fits. The track has the chugging, forward-moving momentum of a vehicle, yet it seems to be driving through a landscape seen in a fever dream, where the signposts are all...