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...

"Cloud Ocean", is a debut record, from Hafnarfjörður in Iceland with its young artist Guzo who is changing the parameters of hip-hop and storytelling. The release of an extraordinary album at eighteen by the producer, writer, vocalist, rapper, and audio engineer Guzo perfectly reflects his maturity, inspires and brings people up to him in new forms. Drawing from such influences as Quadeca, Frank Ocean, Tyler The...