Liloe Rix, a singer-songwriter-composer originally from Utrecht, the Netherlands, is an entrancing performer who wins over listeners with the honesty and sincerity of her songs. Her songs, which include a distinctive blend of gritty edge and gentle acoustic overtones, provide a window into her creative process and unique vision. In her own bold way, she delves into the fears, doubts, and emotional ups and downs of...

Casey McQuillen’s single “Better” arrives not with a bang, but with the quiet, decisive click of a well-made lock securing a door. It’s pop music, certainly, groomed and gleaming, yet beneath the surface bubbles a fierce kind of self-possession that’s less about demanding attention and more about curating who gets past the velvet rope of your own contentment. Coming from someone known for empowerment...