Featured New Releases for
October 11, 2019

Two Hands

4AD
Following the spacey, artful U.F.O.F. by only five months, this contrasting sister album opts for a crisper, rawer, more jagged approach.

— Marcy Donelson

Sketchbook

BMG / Rock Soul
R&B
The newly independent singer's varied and fully formed sixth studio album, produced with Jevon Hill (Tamar Braxton, Tye Tribbett).

— Andy Kellman

No Home Record

Matador
The musician and artist's fearless solo debut reveals the most thought-provoking and bracing aspects of her work.

— Heather Phares

Giants of All Sizes

Polydor / Verve
Awash in the damp grays and socio-political malaise of Brexit, the veteran post-Brit-poppers navigate the brackish waters with empathy and steely acceptance.

— James Christopher Monger

Black Anima

Century Media
Emotionally dense ninth set from the Italian goth metal crew sheds theatrics for soul-baring vulnerability.

— Neil Z. Yeung

Lahs

Mexican Summer
The band step outside of their reverb-heavy L.A. cocoon to add new elements (bossa nova, disco, the Dead) to their laid-back sound.

— Tim Sendra

Thanks to You

Darla Distribution
The band's third album harkens back to their '90s indie pop glory while adding new tricks, nearly topping their brilliant debut.

— Tim Sendra

Jules

Transgressive
Recorded during his senior year of high school, the singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist's dazzling debut balances experience and wonder.

— Heather Phares

Metal Galaxy

Cooking Vinyl
The album tweaks the recipe just enough to feel fresh while maintaining the meticulous attention to detail and decibels that have made the group such an unlikely success.

— James Christopher Monger

My Star

Trouble in Mind
The Chicago post-punk deconstructionists reinvent themselves as a twisted new wave act, resulting in their most focused material.

— Paul Simpson

Love Tape

Black Unlimited Music Group
On his eighth album, the Chicago trumpeter delivers an elegant, laid-back meditation on love as a tribute to strong black women.

— Thom Jurek

Four

Damaged Goods
The French singer's fourth album is her usual blend of obscure covers and string originals delivered in cool and reverent '60s style.

— Tim Sendra

Devour You

Rough Trade
The second album from these youthful L.A. reprobates sounds bigger, harder, and glossier, but shorter on sneering raunch.

— Mark Deming

Sonic Citadel

Thrill Jockey
This multi-faceted and curious collection finds the noise rock institution still growing and developing nearly a quarter century in.

— Fred Thomas

Born Hot

Polyvinyl
The bedroom pop troubadour balances earnest self-reflection with pop culture witticisms and melodic, catchy songwriting.

— Timothy Monger

After the Fire

Late August Records
A modest yet deeply felt album that showcases Jinks' strengths as a singer and songwriter.

— Stephen Thomas Erlewine

My Regime

Banana & Louie Records
An alternately thoughtful and silly album that balances melancholy and fun with a nice psychedelia-meets-'80s-pop feel.

— Tim Sendra

Remixed

Thrill Jockey
Celebrating their 20th anniversary as a band, the Body have their work interpreted by friends and inspirations such as Moor Mother and Container.

— Paul Simpson

Return to Us

BMG
Reassuring messages and a corresponding musical tone comprise the U.K. indie pop group's politically motivated tenth album.

— Marcy Donelson

Hallucinogen

Debemur Morti
Normandy's premier experimental black metal outfit enter a new exploratory musical phase without forsaking their origins.

— Thom Jurek

Shiny New Model

What's Yr Rupture?
The band shave off the rough edges of the dance punk sound, replacing it with newfound sonic power.

— Tim Sendra

Blossoms

Thrill Jockey
The experimental duo generated the tense, somewhat frightening Blossoms using an artificial intelligence system.

— Paul Simpson

2020

Weird World
Ordinary people struggle with crises big and small in this affecting effort from the offbeat U.K. singer and songwriter.

— Mark Deming

Polyhymnia

Ropeadope
Accompanied by more than 30 players, the British-Bahraini composer and instrumentalist delivers a tribute suite to iconic women.

— Thom Jurek

Sun Songs

BMG
The Everclear frontman settles into a sardonic middle age as he plays with different styles and sounds.

— Stephen Thomas Erlewine

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