Featured New Album Releases

Lucinda Williams

Stories From a Rock 'n' Roll Heart

Highway 20 Records

Pop/Rock

The great songwriter's first album of original songs after a stroke is well crafted but not as inspired as one might hope.

— Mark Deming

Neko Case

Wild Creatures

Anti-

Pop/Rock, Country

A dazzling summation of the first 25 years in the career of a unique, singularly talented singer and songwriter.

— Mark Deming

Cornelius

Dream in Dream

Warner Music

Pop/Rock

The producer/multi-instrumentalist muses on life's comings and goings with ambient-jazz-pop meditations that feel connected to his entire career.

— Heather Phares

Brigid Mae Power

Dream from the Deep Well

Fire Records

Pop/Rock

Touching on the personal and the political, the indie folkster's tender fourth LP is anchored by two traditional tunes and a Tim Buckley cover.

— Marcy Donelson

The Baseball Project

Grand Salami Time

Omnivore

Pop/Rock

The fourth album from these baseball-loving alt-rock heroes is funny, moving, and full of great songs for would-be Boys of Summer.

— Mark Deming

Sweeping Promises

Good Living Is Coming for You

Sub Pop

Pop/Rock

The duo respond to a world in flux with a tight collection of post-punk that expertly balances melody, noise, and a wry sense of humor.

— Heather Phares

Tyshawn Sorey / Tyshawn Sorey Trio

Continuing

Pi Recordings

Jazz

The drummer/composer/educator and collaborators present a brilliantly pointillistic, polymetric, authoritatively evolved language for jazz piano trio.

— Thom Jurek

John Carroll Kirby

Blowout

Stones Throw

Electronic, Jazz

Written in Costa Rica, the keyboardist's album weds contemporary jazz-funk, electronics, and Caribbean sounds in this exotic mélange.

— Thom Jurek

Khanate

To Be Cruel

Sacred Bones

Pop/Rock

The doom metal supergroup's first album of new material in 17 years continues the writhing, tortured intensity of their earlier work.

— Fred Thomas

Special Friend

Wait Until the Flames Come Rushing In

Skep Wax Records

Pop/Rock

The '90s-loving duo skillfully dial back the noise-damaged portion of their sound in favor of a more melancholy, sweetly sad approach.

— Tim Sendra

Hayden Pedigo

The Happiest Times I Ever Ignored

Mexican Summer

Folk, Avant-Garde

The eccentric Texas guitarist offers an album of tension and melodic elegance.

— Timothy Monger

James & the Giants

Kill Rock Stars

Pop/Rock

This nostalgic project debut offers a more structured blend of indie folk-rock and alt-country from Wooden Wand's James Jackson Toth (and friends).

— Marcy Donelson

Joanna Sternberg

I've Got Me

Fat Possum Records

Folk

A poignant and emotionally vulnerable collection with a pleasing old-timey feel.

— Timothy Monger

Divide and Dissolve

Systemic

Invada

Pop/Rock

Powerful fourth album from the Australian instrumental duo, alternating between punishing sludge metal and beautifully haunting neo-classical passages.

— Paul Simpson