You hit play, and immediately, the atmosphere shifts. Boey does not waste time easing you into his new album, "The False Prince". The Ipoh-born, UK-based singer-songwriter grabs your attention by doing the exact opposite of what you expect. Instead of loud, aggressive anthems about the state of society, he offers a masterclass in quiet intensity. This 13-track record is a bold, beautiful exploration of modern...

Alright, this one settled in differently. Not with a bang, but like noticing the colour drain slowly from a favourite rug. Michellar's "LOVE EARTH" wraps its stark message in this comfortable cloak of indie rock softness, a bit of alt-country dust on its boots. The female vocal leads, clear and steady, piloting through a landscape that feels increasingly precarious. https://open.spotify.com/track/1nBGREag5AUevozyCepKWv?si=32662ddcf35c497d The subject matter – environmental crisis,...