What does it mean for music to be “live” anymore? In an era of backing tracks, digital corrections, and performances polished to a frictionless gleam, the term has lost some of its meaning. It often signifies little more than the physical presence of a performer on a stage. But then, an album like Udeigwe’s "Live in Williamsburg" appears, and it serves as a powerful reminder...

Arashk Azizi, a contemporary composer, navigates the profound depths of human emotion with his signature "Piano Poem" style. His latest release, "Elegy Sonata," is a four-track EP. "Elegy Sonata" grapples with death and grief, fear and mourning. Azizi's piano becomes a vessel, pouring out despair and flashes of raw anger, reflecting upon loss—loss that, it appears, resonates deeply with his personal journey. You know, it...