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...

"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...