Frank Iero and the Future Violents / Frank Iero

Barriers

UNFD

Pop/Rock

An emo-hardcore roller coaster, this expansive third set from the New Jersey songman is his best to date.

— Neil Z. Yeung

Sacred Paws

Run Around the Sun

Merge

Pop/Rock

The duo's second album has all the giddy exuberance and infectious songs of their debut, plus slightly upgraded production values.

— Tim Sendra

Kishi Bashi

Omoiyari

Joyful Noise

Pop/Rock

Themes of empathy rule an acoustic-leaning set of poignant orchestral songs tied to a documentary about racism and Japanese-American internment.

— Marcy Donelson

Duff McKagan

Tenderness

Hip-O / Universal

Pop/Rock

On his third solo album, the iconic Guns N' Roses affiliate unexpectedly turns towards socially conscious country rock.

— Fred Thomas

JR JR

Invocations/Conversations

Love is Ez Records

Pop/Rock

The first release on the Detroit duo's Love Is EZ Records is a double album of upbeat indie electro-pop songs stockpiled since 2015's JR JR.

— Marcy Donelson

440 / Juan Luis Guerra / Juan Luis Guerra y 440

Literal

Universal

Latin

The godfather of bachata delivers an unabashedly romantic summertime record filled with a panoramic assortment of rhythms.

— Thom Jurek

Lee "Scratch" Perry

Rainford

On U Sounds

Reggae

The Upsetter continues his ongoing collaboration with Adrian Sherwood, producing this playful, inspired outing.

— Paul Simpson

Gnoomes

MU!

Rocket Recordings

Pop/Rock

The Russian stargazers return with a more organic delivery and some melodic psych-driven highlights.

— Timothy Monger

ionnalee

Remember the Future

To Whom It May Concern

Pop/Rock, Electronic

The ever-evolving artist's second solo album delivers some of her most hopeful and ambitious music.

— Heather Phares

Pip Blom

Boat

Heavenly

Pop/Rock

The Dutch quartet are students of '90s indie rock and invest their nostalgia with heartfelt imagination, strong dynamics, and deep feelings.

— Tim Sendra

Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band / Kenny Wayne Shepherd

The Traveler

Concord

Blues, Pop/Rock, Country

On his ninth studio outing, the Louisiana-born guitarist and songwriter delivers his most diverse, consistent, organic recording to date.

— Thom Jurek

Various Artists

Electrical Language: Independent British Synth Pop 78-84

Cherry Red

Pop/Rock

Incredible four-disc anthology of British synth pop ranging from household names (the Human League) to mysterious obscurities (Ice the Falling Rain).

— Paul Simpson

Thomas Rhett

Center Point Road

Valory

Country

Facing his thirties, the country-pop songwriter gets nostalgic and quietly adventurous.

— Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Hootie & the Blowfish

Cracked Rear View

ACG / Atlantic / Rhino

Pop/Rock

The blockbuster debut from Hootie & the Blowfish straddled the line between the mainstream and jangling college rock.

— Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Buck Owens / Buck Owens & His Buckaroos

The Complete Capitol Singles: 1971-1975

Omnivore

Country

This double-disc collection chronicles the last years of Buck Owens' imperial phase.

— Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Apex Manor

Heartbreak City

Merge

Pop/Rock

Ross Flournoy goes to his dark places on his second album from this solo project, and the harder edges work in his favor.

— Mark Deming

The Gotobeds

Debt Begins at 30

Sub Pop

Pop/Rock

A big roster of indie rock guests have made these Pittsburgh noise rockers leaner, harder, and crankier than ever.

— Mark Deming

Doug Tuttle

Dream Road

Burger Records

Pop/Rock

On his fourth album, Tuttle sets aside psychedelia and fully embraces the trad rock sound of Tom Petty with his usual skill and craft.

— Tim Sendra

Eluvium

Piano Works

Temporary Residence

Electronic, Pop/Rock

The ambient artist turns in a collection of solo piano pieces inspired by childhood and child-like perspectives.

— Fred Thomas

Fujiya & Miyagi

Flashback

Impossible Objects of Desire

Pop/Rock

The U.K. act's paranoid, fun, and dependably danceable eighth album coincides with their 20th anniversary as a band.

— Marcy Donelson

Agent Blå

Morning Thoughts

Kanine Records

Pop/Rock

The band's second album adds maturity and nuance to their swooning blend of post-punk and indie pop.

— Heather Phares

Sinkane

Dépaysé

City Slang

Pop/Rock

A rousing exploration of the singer's immigrant experience in America set to his distinctive amalgam of funk, Afro-pop, psych, and indie rock.

— Timothy Monger

Venom

In Nomine Satanas

Sanctuary

Pop/Rock

A lavish box set featuring deluxe treatments of the influential black metallers first four LPs.

— James Christopher Monger

Kölsch

Fabric Presents Kölsch

Fabric

Electronic

Kölsch's fourth album is a continuously mixed set of original productions meant to evoke a worldwide journey.

— Paul Simpson

Rory Gallagher

Blues [Deluxe Edition]

UMe / Universal

Blues

This amazing three-disc box commemorates the innovative Irish guitarist's recording career via unreleased music, outtakes, concerts, and guest spots.

— Thom Jurek

Juan Wauters

Introducing Juan Pablo

Captured Tracks

Pop/Rock

Warm and daydreamy songs recorded in transit between 2015 and 2016 explore this singer/songwriter's friendly internal world.

— Fred Thomas

Lisa Hannigan / s t a r g a z e

Live in Dublin

PIAS

Folk

Live in Dublin sees the Irish singer/songwriter in full autumnal splendor, delivering a lush 14-track set.

— James Christopher Monger

Operators

Radiant Dawn

Last Gang Records

Pop/Rock

Anxious, sometimes dystopian lyrics meet club-ready, '80s-influenced synth pop on the second album by members of Wolf Parade and Divine Fits.

— Marcy Donelson

Susan Boyle

Ten

Sony Music / Syco Music

Vocal

A compilation of Susan Boyle's first decade of recording featuring four new songs.

— Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Chase & Status

RTRN II JUNGLE

Virgin EMI

Electronic

Chase & Status celebrate their 15th anniversary by going back to their roots, producing a modernized take on old-school jungle.

— Paul Simpson

Glen Wilson

Pierre Attaingnant: Harpsichord Works

Naxos

Classical

Mostly premiere performances of keyboard transcriptions printed by Pierre Attaignant, a pioneer music publisher.

— James Manheim

András Schiff

Franz Schubert: Sonatas & Impromptus

ECM New Series

Classical

Superbly detailed Schubert on an 1820 fortepiano.

— James Manheim

Matthias Goerne / Leif Ove Andsnes

Robert Schumann: Liederkreis Op. 24; Kerner-Lieder

Harmonia Mundi

Classical

Superb Schumann from a vocalist at the very top of his powers.

— James Manheim

Orlando Consort

Guillaume Dufay: Lament for Constantinople

Hyperion

Classical

Dufay chansons are not often recorded so this is a welcome release, sung beautifully by the Orlando Consort.

— James Manheim

Katia and Marielle Labèque

Dessner: El Chan

Deutsche Grammophon

Classical

Fine collaboration between rocker-turned-composer Bryce Dessner, and the duo piano team of Katia and Marielle Labèque.

— James Manheim

Steven Osborne

Beethoven: Piano Sonatas, Op. 109 in E major, Op. 110 in A flat major, Op. 111 in C minor

Hyperion

Classical

Strong reading of Beethoven's three ultimate piano sonatas, taking risks and using harsh sounds to generate momentum.

— James Manheim

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