Featured New Releases for
October 18, 2019

Album cover for Surviving by Jimmy Eat WorldEditors' Choice
Jimmy Eat World

Surviving

Exotic Location Recordings / RCA
Pop/Rock
A late-career peak, the Arizona quartet approaches middle age by maturing their emo-rock sound.

— Neil Z. Yeung

Album cover for No Holiday by The Muffs
The Muffs

No Holiday

Omnivore
Pop/Rock
Recorded as their leader was battling ALS, this set from the pop-punk heroes is less aggressive but powerfully heartfelt.

— Mark Deming

Album cover for What's Going On Live by Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye

What's Going On Live

Motown
R&B
An individual release of the singer's 1972 Kennedy Center performance, originally issued on the deluxe edition of What's Going On (2001).

— Andy Kellman

Album cover for Vagabon by Vagabon
Vagabon

Vagabon

Nonesuch / Warner Bros.
Pop/Rock
Gentle, textured atmospheres and themes of self-reliance characterize the calm, confident follow-up to the volatile Infinite Worlds.

— Marcy Donelson

Album cover for Woptober II by Gucci Mane
Gucci Mane

Woptober II

Asylum / Atlantic / Guwop Enterprises
Rap
The Atlanta trap godfather caps a tumultuous decade with one of his best efforts.

— Neil Z. Yeung

Album cover for War Music by Refused
Refused

War Music

Spinefarm Records / Search & Destroy
Pop/Rock
The leading political hardcore band of their time are as articulate and angry as ever 25 years into their run.

— Mark Deming

Album cover for Crush by Floating PointsEditors' Choice
Floating Points

Crush

Ninja Tune
Electronic
Sam Shepherd's engrossing second album veers from motionless ambient interludes to bracing techno tracks.

— Andy Kellman

Album cover for Screamer by Third Eye Blind
Third Eye Blind

Screamer

MegaCollider Records
Pop/Rock
Working with "musical consigliere" Billy Corgan, Third Eye Blind shake things up on Screamer.

— Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Album cover for Piggy Wings by Yummy FurEditors' Choice
Yummy Fur

Piggy Wings

Rock Action
Pop/Rock
A rousing and oft-hilarious career-spanning set of tracks by the noisy, off-kilter band from the '90s Scottish pop underground.

— Tim Sendra

Album cover for Dusty by Homeboy SandmanEditors' Choice
Homeboy Sandman

Dusty

Mello Music Group
Rap
The Queens native reunites with producer Mono en Stereo (formerly RTNC) for a set of pointed observations set to ambling jazz and funk grooves.

— Paul Simpson

Album cover for Junior by CorridorEditors' Choice
Corridor

Junior

Sub Pop
Pop/Rock
The Montreal group's third album -- and first for Sub Pop -- is newly powerful indie rock built on post-punk influences and hooky melodies.

— Tim Sendra

Album cover for The Wanting by Cody JinksEditors' Choice
Cody Jinks

The Wanting

Late August Records
Country
On his second album released in October 2019, Cody Jinks gets introspective.

— Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Album cover for Big Blue by Dead SoftEditors' Choice
Dead Soft

Big Blue

Arts & Crafts
Pop/Rock
A smartly written, tightly focused, and appealingly heavy sophomore LP from this Vancouver fuzz-pop trio.

— Timothy Monger

Album cover for Real Friends by Chris Janson
Chris Janson

Real Friends

Warner Music
Country
On his cheerful third album, the singer slyly and stylishly updates some traditional country tropes.

— Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Album cover for One Step Behind by Garcia Peoples
Garcia Peoples

One Step Behind

Beyond Beyond Is Beyond
Pop/Rock
The third album from the Jersey indie jam band in less than two years is centered around one epic 31-minute exploration.

— Fred Thomas

Album cover for Utopia by Bremer/McCoyEditors' Choice
Bremer/McCoy

Utopia

Bremer McCoy Music / Luaka Bop
Pop/Rock, Jazz, New Age
Enveloping Luaka Bop debut from the Danish instrumental duo that begs to be listened to in one sitting.

— Matt Collar

Album cover for Do You See the Falling Leaves? by Broen
Broen

Do You See the Falling Leaves?

Bella Union
Pop/Rock
The Norwegian collective's fusion of pop, jazz, electronic music, R&B, and hip-hop bridges the political and personal in lively, intimate ways.

— Heather Phares

Album cover for The Only Ones by The Milk Carton Kids
The Milk Carton Kids

The Only Ones

Milk Carton Records
Pop/Rock, Folk
An intimate set that jettisons its predecessor's expanded lineup, relying solely on the duo's impeccable guitar and vocal skills.

— James Christopher Monger

Album cover for Heavy Lifter by Hovvdy
Hovvdy

Heavy Lifter

Double Double Whammy
Pop/Rock
On their third album, the slowcore-indebted duo clarify vocals and structure while retaining their guarded introversion.

— Marcy Donelson

Album cover for Year of the Witch by HXXS
HXXS

Year of the Witch

Captured Tracks
Pop/Rock
The duo's abrasive, provocative debut album sounds like the work of broken androids trying to make sense of humanity.

— Heather Phares

Album cover for Chapters by Kneebody
Kneebody

Chapters

Edition
Pop/Rock, Jazz
The Los Angeles jazz outfit collaborates with several vocalists on this accessible, yet still boundary-pushing outing.

— Matt Collar

Album cover for Crossing Lines by Vida Blue
Vida Blue

Crossing Lines

ATO
Pop/Rock
Phish keyboardist Page McConnell revives his early-2000s electro-funk project for a more contemplative third outing.

— Timothy Monger

Album cover for Wave by Patrick Watson
Patrick Watson

Wave

Domino
Pop/Rock
The Canadian singer/songwriter and composer's melancholic eighth effort is his most spectral collection of songs to date.

— James Christopher Monger

Album cover for Deborah by Sorry Girls
Sorry Girls

Deborah

Arbutus Records
Pop/Rock
The gated reverb of the '80s factors heavily into this yearning, full-length debut from the Montreal-based indie electronic duo.

— Marcy Donelson

Album cover for Cloud Hidden by Susumu Yokota
Susumu Yokota

Cloud Hidden

Lo Recordings
Electronic
Reworked pieces from an uncovered DAT tape containing early versions of material from Susumu Yokota's 2002 album The Boy and the Tree.

— Paul Simpson

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