Mac Miller

Swimming

Warner Records

Rap

The Pittsburgh rapper continues his maturation with soulful introspection and hypnotic production.

— Neil Z. Yeung

Travis Scott

Astroworld

Epic

Rap

The Houstonian's third solo album, titled after his hometown's demolished theme park, contains some of his most vivid and vulnerable material.

— Andy Kellman

Shemekia Copeland

America's Child

Alligator Records

Blues

Shemekia Copeland offers an open-hearted protest album.

— Stephen Thomas Erlewine

James

Living in Extraordinary Times

Infectious / Infectious Company

Pop/Rock

With an open heart, James embrace the turbulent chaos of the modern world.

— Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Helena Hauff

Qualm

Ninja Tune

Electronic

Electro producer Helena Hauff's second album is starker and more rhythmically focused than her first, but no less energetic.

— Paul Simpson

Shy Boys

Bell House

Polyvinyl

Pop/Rock

The Polyvinyl debut of a Kansas City band that basks in rich vocal harmonies and sweet but discontented melodies.

— Marcy Donelson

Gulp

All Good Wishes

E.L.K Records

Pop/Rock

The Welsh band's second album successfully adds a little melancholy to their sunny, vintage synth-driven pop sound.

— Tim Sendra

Spider Bags

Someday Everything Will Be Fine

Merge

Pop/Rock

Fifth album from these North Carolina noisemakers is smarter and more precise, but still packs a wallop.

— Mark Deming

Steve Hauschildt

Dissolvi

Ghostly International

Electronic

Hauschildt's fifth solo album is his most collaborative effort since the breakup of Emeralds, as well as his most techno-influenced.

— Paul Simpson

Lucero

Among the Ghosts

Liberty And Lament

Pop/Rock

Memphis roots rockers take a thoughtful and powerful look at life's other side.

— Mark Deming

YG

Stay Dangerous

Def Jam

Rap

The third album from the Bomptown rapper recalls the predominantly callous spirit of his early mixtapes.

— Andy Kellman

Clearance

At Your Leisure

Top Shelf Records

Pop/Rock

The Chicago quartet shake off their slacker vibes on this lean, well-crafted second outing that channels Kiwi rock, jangle pop, and post-punk.

— Timothy Monger

Michael Nau

Michael Nau & the Mighty Thread

Pop/Rock

Nau's third solo LP was recorded collaboratively in a single locale for a more expansive take on his dreamy contemplation.

— Marcy Donelson

Gabe Gurnsey

Physical

Phantasy Sound

Electronic

The Factory Floor drummer's engaging debut album celebrates the visceral pleasures of house, electro, punk-funk, EBM, and synth pop.

— Heather Phares

Garcia Peoples

Cosmic Cash

Beyond Beyond Is Beyond

Pop/Rock

Debut album from this dazzlingly psychedelic indie group looks to the past for inspiration but refracts classic influences in a way so genuine it feels like a celebration.

— Fred Thomas

Houndmouth

Golden Age

Reprise / Warner Bros.

Pop/Rock

The Indiana band ditches its affection for the past on its sleek, punchy, pop-oriented third album.

— Timothy Monger

Jim Lauderdale

Time Flies

Yep Roc

Country

The gifted songwriter and singer blends modern and retro sounds on this engaging, beautifully crafted album.

— Mark Deming

The Love Language

Baby Grand

Merge

Pop/Rock

Glorious, king-sized pop melodies and downbeat meditations on love and life from Stuart McLamb's recording project.

— Mark Deming

Choir of St. Mary's Cathedral / Duncan Ferguson

William Mundy: Sacred Choral Music

Delphian

Classical

Exultant performances of music of 16th-century composer William Mundy by a Scottish choir.

— James Manheim

Evelyn Glennie / Royal Scottish National Orchestra

Out of the Silence: Orchestral Music by John McLeod

Delphian

Classical

The great Evelyn Glennie returns in this survey of the superbly orchestrated music of Scottish composer McLeod.

— James Manheim

Marion Rampal / Raphaël Imbert / Quatuor Manfred

Bye-Bye Berlin

Harmonia Mundi

Vocal, Classical

The strongest exploration of cabaret influences in the Weimar Berlin repertory since Ute Lemper.

— James Manheim

Adrian Chandler / La Serenissima

Vivaldi x2: Double Concertos for Oboes, Horns, Violin & Cello, Oboe & Bassoon

Avie

Classical

Superb, innovative recordings of Vivaldi double concertos and an extremely unusual multiple-instrument concerto.

— James Manheim

Binchois Consort / Andrew Kirkman

The Lily & the Rose

Hyperion

Classical

Andrew Kirkman and the Binchois Consort present music for Marian devotions, corresponding to carved alabaster figures from the 15th century.

— Blair Sanderson

Royal String Quartet

MacMillan: String Quartets

Hyperion

Classical

For MacMillan fans, this recording presents his remarkable chamber music compositions, of which they may well be only marginally aware.

— James Manheim

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