Ava Valianti represents something increasingly rare in contemporary music: genuine precocity without artifice. This Massachusetts artist, who is only fifteen years old, handles general themes with a level of emotional depth that is shocking. She shows that youth can bring out the best in complicated human experiences, rather than hiding them. "Distant," her sixth single, functions as a sonic archaeology of friendship's dissolution. The track excavates layers...

Illbe's roots can be traced back to the city of Liège and the surrounding area. Gauthier Gilissen uses this alias to hide his true identity. Musicology nerd Gauthier is awed by the most outlandish soundtracks and translates them into his own unique musical style. In addition to guitars, he now draws inspiration from movies, which he uses as a source of references and lore. Gauthier's production...