There's a curious jolt in hearing a title like "Us Against The World" from an act called The Cockney Cowboy. The name itself is a glorious contradiction, a pairing of gritty East London reality with the wide-open romance of Nashville. You half expect a joke, but what Justin Vella delivers is a dead-serious, straight-shooting country ballad that smells less of hay bales and more...

Iona Griffey, a vocalist based in the United Kingdom, has always been committed to providing her listeners with exactly the music they want. With her latest offering, she expands on her previous work in significant ways. Her new album, titled "Lovers & Strangers," features the tune "Hero," which is a showcase of her extraordinary abilities. Iona is an exception in the world of modern electronic pop;...