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...

"Stii Young" is the latest single from the rapidly rising artist Tiana Green. The song is energetic and expressive, and it does a wonderful job of capturing the spirit of coming of age. This heartfelt song celebrates the enduring youth that resides in every one of us and is sure to strike a chord with recent graduates and young adults about to embark on new...