Dylan Forshner's new EP, “Hopeless Optimism,” presents itself not so much as a collection of songs but as a series of candid diary entries set to intricately picked acoustic strings. This five-song journey from the Welland, Canada artist begins in a place of palpable internal wrestling, where the lyrics – and Forshner’s delivery – map out the grim territories of being overwhelmed, using substances...

You should listen to Zachary Aldana's new single "Christmas Isn't Canceled (Just You)" while you can because it's sure to be a season-defining hit. This new version of Kelly Clarkson's holiday smash is full of life and energy, taking the infectious enthusiasm of the original and adding his soulful style and hypnotic depth of tone. While introducing a wider tone to his music, which suggests a...