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...

Misfit24th has a talent that only a few other rappers have: the ability to experiment with words and produce smart wordplay. The album "All Is Fair In Love & War" by the UK-based rapper is currently available, and the song "Indecisive Person" serves as the album's lead single. He freely acknowledges his indecision and refuses to censor himself. That's exactly what he does, and he also...