Thomas Finchum is easily one of our favorite new artists to cross our desks this year. With lilting, emotive vocals and striking songwriting, Finchum’s debut release as a solo artist plants him firmly as one to reckon with. “Even those neon lights on Broadway have all lost their shine / Cuz I know somewhere in their shadows are a million dreams like mine / That came to Nashville and died,” Finchum sings. It’s the classic story of an artist grappling with the reception of their art, but taken a step further: what happens if no one cares? “What are songs if no one hears them?” he asks. “What’s the point of me wasting my breath?” It’s a rather daunting approach for a debut solo effort (Finchum previously released music with his band Northern Nights), but if “This Town” is any indication, Finchum won’t fall on deaf ears.