Rising New England songwriter Ava Valianti transforms personal anxiety into sharp indie pop commentary "Laugh Track". Few artists in the crowded field of indie pop are able to capture the strange nervousness of modern life as well as Ava Valianti does in her latest song, "Laugh Track." This song is a truly honest reflection on how we see ourselves and how hard it is to go...

Listening to the new DaLomonze EP, "Picture Day," is a study in deceptive portraiture. You’re told it’s about capturing a moment, a fixed smile for the world, documenting personal growth. The Cleveland artist’s vocals are certainly grand enough for a milestone, full-bodied and cinematic, with an orchestral sweep that feels both holy and expensive. But something is hiding in the gorgeous frame. It’s not...