Miley Cyrus

Plastic Hearts

RCA

Pop/Rock

Balancing polished pop, country heart, and 1980s rock edge, Cyrus' seventh album builds on her image instead of taking a wrecking ball to it.

— Heather Phares

The Smashing Pumpkins

Cyr

Sumerian Records

Pop/Rock

On their 11th studio album, this alt-rock institution transfigure their layered guitar daydreams into brooding synth pop.

— Fred Thomas

Billie Joe Armstrong

No Fun Mondays

Reprise / WEA

Pop/Rock

A fun collection of punk and power pop covers recorded during the lockdown of 2020.

— Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Evelyn "Champagne" King

The RCA Albums 1977-1985

SoulMusic

R&B

All eight of the singer's RCA Victor LPs, plus well-chosen bonus tracks, lovingly packaged together for the first time.

— Andy Kellman

Perry Farrell

The Glitz; The Glamour

Last Man

Pop/Rock

This retrospective compilation collects 35 years of solo material and more obscure output from the iconic frontman of Jane's Addiction.

— Fred Thomas

Various Artists

Sumer Is Icumen In: The Pagan Sound of British & Irish Folk 1966-1975

Grapefruit

Folk, Pop/Rock

A fascinating celebration of British folk-rock's eerier, more spiritual side during its late-'60s and early-'70s heyday.

— Timothy Monger

Kelley Stoltz

Ah! (etc)

Agitated

Pop/Rock

Supremely catchy and well-produced songs, as strong a batch as the pop craftsman has turned out in his long career.

— Tim Sendra

The High Water Marks

Ecstasy Rhymes

Minty Fresh

Pop/Rock

Classic Elephant 6-style indie rock played with energy and craft on the group's best album to date.

— Tim Sendra

M. Geddes Gengras

Time Makes Nothing Happen

Hausu Mountain

Electronic

A vibrant, playful set of abstract techno tracks and rhythmic explorations from the analog synth wizard.

— Paul Simpson

Dark Tranquillity

Moment

Century Media

Pop/Rock

Sweden's melodic death metal pioneers introduce two new guitarists, more elaborate songwriting, and intensely detailed production.

— Thom Jurek

Jahari Massamba Unit

Pardon My French

Madlib Invazion

Jazz, Rap

A decade after their 2010 recorded collaboration, Madlib and Karriem Riggins deliver an exotic and exploratory tour de force in futurist jazz funk.

— Thom Jurek

Chaz Jankel

Glad to Know You: Anthology 1980-1986

Cherry Red

Pop/Rock

A five-disc box containing everything the solo Blockhead recorded for A&M in the early 1980s.

— Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Clutch

The Weathermaker Vault Series, Vol. 1

Weathermaker Music

Pop/Rock

Compilation of re-recorded deep cuts, rarities, and covers from the Maryland hard rock stalwarts.

— Neil Z. Yeung

Urlaub in Polen

All

Tapete Records

Pop/Rock

After a nine-year hiatus, the German post-punk duo sound tighter, sleeker, and surprisingly vital on their sixth album.

— Timothy Monger

Hatebreed

Weight of the False Self

Nuclear Blast

Pop/Rock

The Connecticut-based punk-metal institution deliver a familiar yet formidable eighth outing.

— James Christopher Monger

Eris Drew / Octo Octa

Fabric Presents Octo Octa & Eris Drew

Fabric

Electronic

A characteristically energetic all-vinyl set from the T4T LUV NRG duo, connecting the dots between house, techno, hardcore, and garage.

— Paul Simpson

Richard Egarr / Academy of Ancient Music / Academy of Ancient Music Chorus

J.L. Dussek: Messe Solemnelle

AAM Records

Classical

Impressive mass from Beethoven's era receives its world premiere, not only on recordings but in performance.

— James Manheim

Trevor Pinnock / Royal Academy of Music Soloists Ensemble

Bach: Goldberg Variations arranged for small orchestra by Józef Koffler

Linn / Linn Records

Classical

A unique arrangement of the Goldbergs from a modernist composer in Poland in the late 1930s, newly rediscovered.

— James Manheim

Vasari Singers / Jeremy Backhouse / Martin Ford

Heaven Full of Stars

Naxos

Classical

An attractive collection of celestial-themed pieces celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Vasari Singers.

— James Manheim

Giovanni Antonini / Bavarian Radio Chorus / Florian Boesch / Il Giardino Armonico / Anna Lucia Richter / Maximilian Schmitt

Haydn 2032: Die Schöpfung

Alpha

Classical

Persuasive historical-instrument performance of Haydn's Die Schöpfung benefits from strong soloists.

— James Manheim

Bertrand Chamayou

Good Night!

Erato

Classical

A program of lullabies from pianist Bertrand Chamayou, masterfully executed.

— James Manheim

BBC Symphony Orchestra / Anna Clyne

Anna Clyne: Mythologies

Avie

Classical

Vivid programmatic orchestral scores provide an ideal introduction to this increasingly popular composer.

— James Manheim

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