Listening to the opening of Michellar’s "Truth Over Lies" is like being dropped mid-sentence into a conversation you desperately need to hear. This track, which features Frankie El, doesn't ease you in; it puts you on the "shaky ground" it sings about, a state of profound vertigo that reminds me of the low, anxious hum an old CRT television used to make just before...

Maria Hubbel of Rochester, New York is one such shining light; she is a talented singer, songwriter, and composer who is creating an entrancing symphony with her strongly expressive voice and flair for writing memorable pop compositions. Some musicians stand out from the rest of the musical galaxy because their distinctive sound has the power to grab listeners and leave them wanting more. Maria may be...