Jake Vera’s “Purgatory”: A Raw Ode to the Afterlife and Beyond Putting out a first song called "Purgatory" seems almost radical. Even though it is not exactly roses, Jake Vera is not here to play it safe. Coming from Dallas, Texas, this self-made artist has made a song that hits you hard emotionally and sounds rough. Working with producer AfwulDrama, Vera crafts an introspective exploration of...

The Madrid-based singer-songwriter Elif Coskun turns a soft, cinematic alt-pop single into a clear-eyed hit of memory, forgiveness, and emotional honesty. Some songs hit because they say the messy thing before you are ready to admit it. Elif Coskun's "The Hardest Part" does exactly that, then lets the feeling hang there. This cinematic single from the Madrid-based singer-songwriter, shocks through care, not anger. That may sound...