So, you've grabbed your book bag and headed back to school. What better way to forget the upcoming exams and assignments than forging ahead into some new music? The following is a sample of some of the up-and-coming selections to cross my desk in the past few weeks. Enjoy.

Following in the footsteps of such artists as Kate Bush and Tori Amos is the singer-songwriter Leah Andreone. The San Diego native has "unveiled" her debut disc, Veiled, on RCA Records. Her stories are intriguing and imaginative, and although at times Andreone's voice ventures into a country-ish whine, her vocals are expressive and strong. Through her lyrics, the singer flows through a spectrum of emotions from anger and darkness to the optimism of a new love. Check out "It's Alright It's OK," "You Make Me Remember" and "Imagining You."