Gordon Lightfoot Book, Music and More!

He’s well known to fans of the U.S. indie pop band fun., which won Grammys for Best New Artist and Song of the Year for “We Are Young,” the group’s soaring hit with Janelle Monáe. As its energetic frontman, Nate Ruess was credited with giving fun. its swagger and gleefulness—even in the face of downbeat subjects. On his solo debut, the 33-year-old mixes dark tracks with infectious songs that have all the optimism of “We Are Young.” “AhHa” is a little of both, shifting from a bombastic opening into a moving account of struggling with depression and getting saved by music. The title track is a sweeping confessional with operatic overtones. But the album’s best song is “Nothing Without Love,” i...

Her path to becoming a pop icon seems unbreakable as well. With a voice capable of hitting any note, tone or melodic run with apparent ease and songs that ring instantly true, Tori Kelly has emerged as the “Artist to Watch.” “I’ve never reacted physically to a singer like that before in my life—her vocal ability is unbelievable,” gushed British pop star Sam Smith, with whom she’s toured. Now the 22-year-old California native, who once auditioned for American Idol and became a YouTube cover sensation, is the big buzz. Managed by Scooter Braun (Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande) and produced by Max Martin (Katy Perry, Taylor Swift), Kelly shows off her gifts on her thrilling debut, a 14-track showc...

Few artists blend old and new-world influences better than the former leader of famed British folk-rockers Fairport Convention. His latest, produced by Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy, is a gem, full of mystical Renaissance sounds on songs like “Pony in the Saddle” and robust rock stylings, especially on “Guitar Heroes,” which pays brilliant homage to his mentors.