Exploring the Sonic Universe of Swedish Singer-Songwriter Xolydia. Xolydia, an independent musician, has set out on a musical trip that crosses continents, from the serene expanse of Sweden to the throbbing centre of London. This musician is more than just another independent artist; her songs explore deep themes including love and mental illness as well as climate change, societal structure, and the human psyche. There is a...

Four songs, seventeen minutes, and a fortieth birthday. Zora Kirin’s "The Bones Are Beautiful" has a clean premise, but it refuses an easy emotional shortcut. The Berlin artist calls her debut solo EP hopecore, and the label fits because these songs make room for hard feelings before they reach for light. It is a focused indie folk listen that moves from early wonder to adult desire,...