Maraad’s new album, “BUFF”, is a strange and beautiful paradox, an object forged in the very fire it’s meant to protect you from. Each track is presented as a "buff," a bit of protective magic for the spirit, but the energy humming underneath feels less like a polished shield and more like the faint, determined glow around a figure in a centuries-old altarpiece—somehow both...

Menol HNC, a talented artist born to Dominican parents on the idyllic island of Saint Martin, has emerged as a vibrant force in the music industry. Inspired by the rich cultural diversity of his upbringing, Menol HNC draws inspiration from various traditions, including those of Jamaica, Guadalupe, and Africa, infusing his music with a captivating fusion of sounds. From a young age, Menol HNC discovered the...