The Austin-based songwriter Alex Winters turns the terrifying act of emotional surrender into a towering alt-rock confession. There is a specific kind of silence that occupies a room right before a heavy truth is spoken aloud. It is thick, suffocating, and entirely self-imposed. We build fortresses out of our past traumas, stacking bricks of deflection and mortar of avoidance to guarantee nothing can ever hurt us...

"Why Not" is the latest single by American pop artist Naomi Jane, and it's a celebration of the romantic ideals held by those who hold on to hope even in the face of adversity. Great romance movies have an enduring influence on people, and this song seems to be reflecting on that experience as it compels us to let go of our limitations and dance...