Ava Valianti represents something increasingly rare in contemporary music: genuine precocity without artifice. This Massachusetts artist, who is only fifteen years old, handles general themes with a level of emotional depth that is shocking. She shows that youth can bring out the best in complicated human experiences, rather than hiding them. "Distant," her sixth single, functions as a sonic archaeology of friendship's dissolution. The track excavates layers...

Hampshire-based songwriter Kate Harding spins pure hindsight into shimmering indie pop rock on her new single, "THE DOPAMINE HIGH AIN'T LOVE". Finding her recording voice at forty after a health scare forced a reset, Harding wastes zero time mincing words. She takes aim directly at the intoxicating, painful trap of emotional manipulation. https://open.spotify.com/album/23thpH06WrBgGoBn2Z3lru?si=SMG5rKQiTp6R0b5WMyk78w The music tricks you beautifully. The melody relies on a bright, fast-paced rhythm...