When you come across a musician with the calibre of Class Vee, you can't help but pay attention. Victoria Castillo, an American singer, songwriter, and record producer, is quickly making a name for herself. The band Soltrio (2019-2021) was the catalyst in Tampa. She pursued a solo career after working on many band projects, incorporating elements of pop, R&B, funk, soul, disco, and Latin into her...

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...