The masked, studio-bound artist Aurealis absolutely detonates our collective romantic defenses with the euphorically vulnerable new single, "How I Feel". https://open.spotify.com/track/3NHjiue4n0sIyzDTFNYjyc?si=d1e3303ecc1941b1 There is a delightful contradiction here. A faceless, secretive electronic musician has somehow crafted the most beautifully unguarded slice of dance pop of the year. The track surges on a deep, pulsing low-end groove, dragging a bouncy, wildly rhythmic hook alongside it. It hits your bloodstream...

Simona-Valentina’s new album, “Mirrors & Feathers,” arrived much like an unexpected guest at a tea party – one who’s been through a rather significant ordeal but still manages a fascinating, slightly skewed smile. This London-based songwriter, with roots trailing back to Transylvania, offers a collection that feels less like a polished performance and more like eavesdropping on intensely private, courageous conversations, rendered in dreamy,...