Recent Understated Releases

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  Cut Copy
  Freeze, Melt
  AllMusic
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  Influenced by ambient music and classic techno and sprinkled with subtle melodies, this sleekly minimalist album is a satisfying left turn.

  - Tim Sendra
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  Hurts
  Faith
  AllMusic
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  The British duo draw upon early-'90s goth and industrial sounds for their dusky fifth album.

  - Matt Collar
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  Chris Stamey & the Fellow Travel … / Chris Stamey
  A Brand-New Shade of Blue
  AllMusic
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  The dB's frontman moves forward into the past with this gorgeous evocation of late-night vocal jazz in the mid-century style.

  - Mark Deming
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  Bill Callahan
  Gold Record
  AllMusic
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  The singer/songwriter imbues these character sketches with the deeply personal warmth of his previous album, Shepherd in a Sheepskin Vest.

  - Heather Phares
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  Sylvie Simmons
  Blue on Blue
  AllMusic
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  The second album from the rock writer turned singer/songwriter is steeped in pop and blues while remarkably strong in its fragility.

  - Mark Deming
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  Whitney
  Candid
  AllMusic
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  The band put their distinctly mellow, pastoral stamp on a set of covers ranging from John Denver and the Roches to David Byrne and SWV.

  - Marcy Donelson
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  International Teachers of Pop
  Pop Gossip
  AllMusic
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  The trio's second album adds candy coating to their majestic synth pop; the result is like a bubblegum Human League.

  - Tim Sendra
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  Black Marble
  I Must Be Living Twice
  AllMusic
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  Covers of songs by Wire, Robert Palmer, and the Field Mice shed engaging light on Black Marble's musical influences and creative process.

  - Heather Phares
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  Winter
  Endless Space (Between You & I)
  AllMusic
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  Peacefully dreamlike and melancholy album that skillfully blends the softness of dream pop with the sonic overload of shoegaze.

  - Tim Sendra
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  Helena Deland
  Someone New
  AllMusic
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  A strange and hypnotic full-length debut from an intriguing indie singer/songwriter based in Montreal.

  - Marcy Donelson