Credit: Laura Rosenblatt

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Laura Rosenblatt

Not too long ago, I walked into the Beacon Hill joint Clock-Out lounge, bought a drink, found a seat, and, after about 30 minutes, Michael Lee appeared on the stage. He was alone, and held a guitar. The place was packed. He sang five of his own songs, and one cover. Now, how can I describe the music by Lee, who is also the guitarist for Young Evils? (His current solo project is called Babie, and he’s set to release a full-length album under the moniker this summer.)

It’s a pop that is as brutally honest as it is beautiful. And in this sense, it disarms you as much as the singer exposes himself: his hurt, hopes, hunger. His set ended too soon. One hopes that the next one at Chop Suey this upcoming Monday will not do the same.

Charles Mudede—who writes about film, books, music, and his life in Rhodesia, Zimbabwe, the USA, and the UK for The Stranger—was born near a steel plant in Kwe Kwe, Zimbabwe. He has no memory...