Before listening to a single note of Suris’ new album, “Pertinax”, I spent a few minutes just looking at the word. Pertinax. It has the distinct ring of a Stoic philosopher’s last defiant utterance or maybe a type of beetle known for its unusually stubborn shell. What a curious flag to fly for a collection of songs in an age of fleeting distraction. But...

Jessy DeGreat's latest track, "Padi," featuring Volta-based artist Parko West, beautifully embodies this sentiment by embracing both friendship and cultural heritage. The title itself, "Padi," a colloquial term translating to "Friend," sets the tone for the lyrical narrative. Jessy DeGreat weaves a tale of his unshakable bond with the divine, asserting himself as God's cherished confidant despite scepticism from others. It's a thematic exploration that...