Imagine being strangers to the best of friends. It is a depressing scenario, and in his most recent song, "Strangers," Fate Under Fire speaks about it. With a powerful felt piano and half-time drumming, the American vocalist takes an increasingly acoustic approach. These elements can add a new and exciting aspect to a song, making it feel more natural and emotive. Concerning electronic or overly manufactured...

There is a strangely magnetic pull to Paper Mountains’ released debut album, "An Olive Tree and a Warm Breeze." Toby Lloyd, the music producer, songwriter, and frontman steering this solo project, has stepped away from the background of crafting sounds for others to finally map out his own mind. Leaning into the soul and folk-pop sensibilities of Iron and Wine and Sam Cooke, Lloyd...