Take Jack Horton, a Portland-based singer-songwriter whose path to folk-Americana included stops at Japanese law school, Tokyo piano bars, corporate boardrooms, and government offices. His latest EP, "Imperfections," feels like finding someone's private journal set to music. And that someone happens to write really, really well. The five-song collection opens with "Set Me Free," a piano-driven confession that might surprise anyone expecting typical breakup bitterness. Horton...

Iona Griffey, a vocalist based in the United Kingdom, has always been committed to providing her listeners with exactly the music they want. With her latest offering, she expands on her previous work in significant ways. Her new album, titled "Lovers & Strangers," features the tune "Hero," which is a showcase of her extraordinary abilities. Iona is an exception in the world of modern electronic pop;...