Empty Pinata – remember LA Rodriguez? – serves up the single "Bonfire," and honestly, the air changes slightly when you play it. It’s less like passively listening and more like discovering a singed diary page fluttering down a quiet street. The music itself is this curious contradiction, wrapping harrowing emotional shrapnel in the comforting gauze of indie-pop, flecked with soft rock warmth. A strangely...

Iona Griffey, a vocalist based in the United Kingdom, has always been committed to providing her listeners with exactly the music they want. With her latest offering, she expands on her previous work in significant ways. Her new album, titled "Lovers & Strangers," features the tune "Hero," which is a showcase of her extraordinary abilities. Iona is an exception in the world of modern electronic pop;...