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...

James Gale is a Belgian artist and musician. With a direct and intuitive feel that underlines the honesty of his composition, his music is incredibly personal. To blur the lines between different concepts while simultaneously trying to add more and create some exceptional sonic dynamics, his tracks draw from a wide range of inspirations, including pop and rock. James, who suffers from autism, depression, and anxiety,...