Lungomare just released a new song that starts out calm and almost hypnotic and then builds into a soundscape that feels overly simple on purpose. Warm melodic layers are broken up by colder, more mechanical textures that temporarily break the calm. These small sound changes add stress without overpowering the piece. This creates a delicate balance where harmony and friction are always rubbing against each other....

"Summer Rain" by Kristen Castro comes out at just the right time, like when the storm clouds part and the sun shines through, bathing everything in a soft yellow light. The Nashville-based singer-songwriter has really moved me with this song. It is both highly personal and easily understandable to everyone, like finding an old diary entry that applies to your present situation in some way. Five...