Music Fixations. December.

The Artist. Moses Sumney.

"I know what it's like to hold and not be held"

Moses Sumney has been singing that line since 2014. It is no less resonant now, when he sings it to a field at a festival, than it was when he sang it in a quiet New York City room. A single from his first EP, "Plastic" makes its appearance once again on Sumney's debut full album, "Aromanticism."

"Aromanticism" is sensitive, ambient, artistic and impassioned. A sense of longing billows out as layers of vocals cascade over a softly strumming guitar in "Indulge me". "Lonely World" creates a hypnotic field, where the sounds and feelings of an isolated mind echo and roll into each other. Sumney confronts the undesirable, the impure, the frailty and the imperfections that define the human condition. Using sound to cast these emotions into sonic form, Sumney is unrestrained, pulling jazz, soul and blues influences into ambient form. Paired with the sultry tone of his voice, Sumney brings "Aromanticism" into full form, crafting it with an honest and artistic edge. ​

The Singles. "Paranoia", "Closest to Me", Liza Anne

I can be a little partial to the talent coming out of Nashville, and Liza Anne is no exception. My partiality, at least, seems to be precedented. I came across amazing musicians during my time there, who only continue to impress me. From her debut album, "The Colder Months" to her recent singles, "Closest to Me" and "Paranoia," Liza Anne has seemingly come to her own. Taking the pure tone she brought to her first album and pairing with it an air of confidence, boldness and delicacy co-mingle, giving the singles a certain strength. There's still a sense of melancholy beneath it all, but one that is carried by an artist who is self-assured and comfortable with her talent and her sound.