Earl Patrick pivots sharply away from his usual indie-folk and guitar-driven comfort zones for his newest release, the wildly inventive album "Conditioned By Machines". The Portland, Oregon-based composer, singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist has spent over two decades building a dense, eight-album catalog. Here, however, he entirely flips the script. Feeling that classical flute music too often prioritizes gesture over pure melody, he set out...

The song's authenticity lies in the sincerity with which it was written and performed and in the emotional weight he gives to his rapping. This is a beautiful song by any measure. The new tune "I'm Right Here" by UK rapper Mr Streetz deals with the serious issue of helping alcoholics find comfort and hope before it's too late. It's great that he tackles serious issues...