The Hold Steady

Open Door Policy

Positive Jams

Pop/Rock

A self-styled cinematic album populated with vivid characters captured with bold colors and nuance.

— Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Mogwai

As the Love Continues

Temporary Residence

Pop/Rock

The venerable Scottish post-rockers celebrate their 25th anniversary with some of their most fun and immediate music.

— Heather Phares

Another Michael

New Music and Big Pop

Run for Cover Records

Pop/Rock

An affectionate, searching full-length debut from a Philadelphia trio whose ethereal indie folk-rock never loses its warm composure.

— Marcy Donelson

The Fall

Live at St. Helens Technical College '81

Castle Face

Pop/Rock

Electrifying live set recorded during the Fall's early Rough Trade era.

— Paul Simpson

Tindersticks

Distractions

City Slang

Pop/Rock

Enforced isolation and a desire to simplify their sound results in a unique and powerful work from the U.K. indie ensemble.

— Mark Deming

Hearty Har

Radio Astro

BMG / Maverick / Reprise / Warner Music

Pop/Rock

John Fogerty's kids deliver a promising and delightful album that skillfully weaves together elements of precisely arranged psychedelia and rambunctious classic rock.

— Tim Sendra

nothing,nowhere.

Trauma Factory

Atlantic / Fueled by Ramen Records

Pop/Rock, Rap

After a few years away, this emo-rap songwriter returns with an album that tries on new styles from one song to the next.

— Fred Thomas

Tash Sultana

Terra Firma

Mom + Pop Music

Pop/Rock, R&B

The second album from the Australian YouTube sensation offers less guitar, more grooves, and a rich, thoughtful, very human sound.

— Mark Deming

Lael Neale

Acquainted With Night

Sub Pop

Pop/Rock

The second album from this L.A. songwriter trades in polished indie country gloss for more minimal presentation that's raw, spacey, and beautiful.

— Fred Thomas

Cameron Graves

Seven

Artistry / Mack Avenue

Jazz, Pop/Rock

On his second date as a bandleader, the pianist and composer freely indulges in fusion, post-bop, and even metal, without abandoning his acoustic piano.

— Thom Jurek

Cassandra Jenkins

An Overview on Phenomenal Nature

Ba Da Bing Records

Pop/Rock

The New Yorker delivers a stunning sophomore outing of poignant, impressionistic dream folk.

— Timothy Monger

Geneva Jacuzzi

Lamaze

Mexican Summer

Pop/Rock

Collected from earlier demos, the Los Angeles-based performance artist's official debut remains a standout of the hypnagogic pop era.

— Paul Simpson

Joanna Connor

4801 South Indiana Avenue

KTBA Records

Blues

Teaming with co-producers Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith, the queen of Chicago blues guitar delivers 11 tracks of raw, raucous joy.

— Thom Jurek

Katy Kirby

Cool Dry Place

Keeled Scales

Pop/Rock

A singer/songwriter debut that impresses with perceptive lyrics, lightly playful arrangements, and warm, hummable melodies.

— Marcy Donelson

Valley Maker

When the Day Leaves

Frenchkiss Records

Pop/Rock

The long-running project from singer/songwriter Austin Crane turns in another set of earthy, dark-hued indie folk-rock.

— Timothy Monger

Wild Pink

A Billion Little Lights

Royal Mountain

Pop/Rock

The New York indie rockers' third full-length is awash in ruminative, synth-laden ambiance and amicable classic rock melodicism.

— James Christopher Monger

Beach Youth

Postcard

Shelflife

Pop/Rock

A compassionate full-length debut steeped in shimmery surf, Johnny Marr, classic indie pop, and dream pop influences.

— Marcy Donelson

Corvair

Corvair

Where It's At Is Where You Are

Pop/Rock

The debut album from the Portland, Oregon-based duo highlights their bright vocal harmonies and idiosyncratic pop approach.

— Fred Thomas

Sam Coffey and the Iron Lungs

Real One

Dine Alone

Pop/Rock

The Canadian pop-punk/power pop combo dial up the passion and the guitars to become the Last Great Heartland Rock Band.

— Mark Deming

Eva Zaïcik / Le Consort

Royal Handel

Alpha

Classical

A Handel album that has it all: an intelligent, close-focus program, crisp, lively instrumental performances, and an exciting young singer.

— James Manheim

Gidon Kremer / Madara Petersone / Daniele Gatti / Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra

Mieczyslaw Weinberg: Violin Concerto; Sonata for Two Violins

Accentus

Classical

A major statement in violinist Kremer's long career of championing Weinberg's music.

— James Manheim

Evelyn Glennie / Jean Thorel

Concertos for Mallet Instruments: Alrich, Jenkins, Rorem

Naxos

Classical

Percussionist Glennie's powers and musical intelligence are undiminished in this 2013 recording, issued in 2021.

— James Manheim

Bavarian Radio Chorus / Howard Arman

Edward Elgar: Partsongs - From the Bavarian Highlands

BR Klassik

Classical

Delightful choral works from Elgar, folkish to a greater or lesser degree.

— James Manheim

Giancarlo Guerrero / Nashville Symphony

John Adams: My Father Knew Charles Ives; Harmonielehre

Naxos

Classical

A major Adams orchestral work that has been recorded only once before and is seldom performed, a worthy rarity.

— James Manheim

Aapo Häkkinen / Erich Höbarth / Alexander Rudin

Schubert: Piano Trio No. 2; Arpeggione Sonata

Naxos

Classical

A rare performance of Schubert's Arpeggione Sonata on the instrument for which it was intended.

— James Manheim

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