Paula Mejía

Over the last few years, hardcore has transformed from an underground subculture into a mainstream phenomenon. Scowl is one of the unwitting torchbearers for this paradigm shift, but their success hasn't come without tension.

The artist's radically inventive new album produced with Justin Raisen plays like an apt distillation of what it's like to live right now.

Vargas' ability to tap into the depths of the human spirit using just a guitar and her voice is exemplified by her 1994 album of original material and Mexican classics.

Stetson's ability on the saxophone borders on the supernatural. Hear his forthcoming album before its release on April 28.