Dylan Forshner's new EP, “Hopeless Optimism,” presents itself not so much as a collection of songs but as a series of candid diary entries set to intricately picked acoustic strings. This five-song journey from the Welland, Canada artist begins in a place of palpable internal wrestling, where the lyrics – and Forshner’s delivery – map out the grim territories of being overwhelmed, using substances...

Owen Young? A fine arts and law graduate, turned songwriter... in Haldimand County, no less. That’s a plot twist worthy of a good, old black and white film reel. His EP, “Town Line,” is like walking into a slightly dusty antique shop - you’re not quite sure what you’ll find, but there's a quiet hum of history hanging in the air. Town Line by Owen...