Featured New Releases for
September 17, 2021

Album cover for Montero by Lil Nas X
Lil Nas X

Montero

Columbia
Rap
Genre-blurring debut from the pop-rap firebrand that boldly places sexuality and vulnerability at the fore.

— Neil Z. Yeung

Album cover for Local Valley by José González
José González

Local Valley

Imperial Recordings / Mute
Pop/Rock
The Swedish singer/songwriter's fourth album is a reassuring wonder of tranquility and understatement.

— Timothy Monger

Album cover for Auckland, New Zealand, 2020 by The Beths
The Beths

Auckland, New Zealand, 2020

Carpark Records
Pop/Rock
With songs from the band's first two albums, this infectious live debut captures a one-off headlining show and livestream from November 2020.

— Marcy Donelson

Album cover for Pilgrimage of the Soul by Mono
Mono

Pilgrimage of the Soul

Pelagic
Pop/Rock
The Japanese quartet change things up by employing more forceful dynamics, electronics, and orchestral instruments to summon the future.

— Thom Jurek

Album cover for Year of the Horse by Fucked Up
Fucked Up

Year of the Horse

Tankcrimes Records
Pop/Rock
A dazzlingly complex exercise in punk/metal/prog opera that's an awe-inspiring experience for those who can keep up with it.

— Mark Deming

Album cover for War Garden by Cold BeatEditors' Choice
Cold Beat

War Garden

Like
Pop/Rock
Hannah Lew and company muse on humankind's ability to both grieve and thrive during difficult times with vaporous yet resilient synth pop.

— Heather Phares

Album cover for Ch. 1 Vs. 1 by Cynthia Erivo
Cynthia Erivo

Ch. 1 Vs. 1

Verve
Pop/Rock
Suitably big (and often powerful) production from the star of the Broadway revival of The Color Purple, Harriet, and Genius: Aretha.

— Andy Kellman

Album cover for Going Going Gone by Mild High ClubEditors' Choice
Mild High Club

Going Going Gone

Stones Throw
Pop/Rock
The third album from this warped soft rock project dissects straightforward soul, lounge, and tropical jazz styles with confusing, wonderful results.

— Fred Thomas

Album cover for Late Style by Wesley Stace
Wesley Stace

Late Style

Omnivore
Pop/Rock
Sweet cocktail jazz and vintage pop sounds square off against snarky lyrics on this set from the former John Wesley Harding.

— Mark Deming

Album cover for Live from Lafayette by Rumer
Rumer

Live from Lafayette

Cooking Vinyl
Pop/Rock
A gorgeously rendered live album finds Rumer revisiting songs off 2020's Nashville Tears and other favorites.

— Matt Collar

Album cover for Cloud 19 by Kehlani
Kehlani

Cloud 19

Atlantic / TSNMI
R&B
Reissued to coincide with its seventh anniversary, this brief 2014 mixtape launched one of the era's most remarkable pop-R&B artists.

— Andy Kellman

Album cover for Proper Smoker by Blunt Bangs
Blunt Bangs

Proper Smoker

Ernest Jenning
Pop/Rock
Explosive, noisy power pop from this Athens-based trio featuring members of Black Kids and Woods.

— Timothy Monger

Album cover for E. Vax by E*vax
E*vax

E. Vax

Because Music
Electronic, Pop/Rock
Moody electronica with elements of hip-hop and new age -- and the occasional trademark dual guitar melody -- from one half of Ratatat.

— Tim Sendra

Album cover for Stay Foggy by Monnone Alone
Monnone Alone

Stay Foggy

Meritorio Records
Pop/Rock
The former Lucksmith worked alone crafting a mildly psychedelic, totally poppy set of songs that are a small-scale delight.

— Tim Sendra

Album cover for 29: Written in Stone by Carly Pearce
Carly Pearce

29: Written in Stone

Big Machine Records
Country
Carly Pearce gets personal on her third album, made in collaboration with producers Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne.

— Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Album cover for Always in Motion by Mini Trees
Mini Trees

Always in Motion

Run for Cover Records
Pop/Rock
Wistful melodies, a cushiony current, and grooving low end guide listeners through an immersive, lockdown-penned debut by L.A.'s Lexi Vega.

— Marcy Donelson

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