Featured New Album Releases

André 3000

New Blue Sun

Epic

New Age, Jazz

The debut solo album from one of the world's greatest rappers is a pleasant, sometimes sublime collection of flute-centered ambient soundscapes.

— Fred Thomas

Bob Dylan

The Complete Budokan 1978 [Live at Nippon Budokan Hall, Tokyo, Japan, February 28, 1978]

Sony Music

Pop/Rock

A four-disc set containing two complete concerts from Dylan's first Japanese tour offers a striking reappraisal of the period.

— Thom Jurek

Daft Punk

Random Access Memories [Drumless Edition]

Columbia / Legacy / Sony Music

Electronic

Stripping the beats from the duo's nostalgic 2013 masterpiece lets its musical and emotional nuances shine all the brighter.

— Heather Phares

Iron & Wine

Who Can See Forever

Sub Pop

Pop/Rock, Stage & Screen

The band's first live album is made up of dramatic, exploratory, and burnished versions of songs drawn from throughout their long career.

— Tim Sendra

Dolly Parton

Rockstar [2 CD]

Big Machine Records

Pop/Rock, Country

A mammoth star-studded album designed as a celebration of Dolly Parton's induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

— Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Kurt Vile

Back to Moon Beach

Verve

Pop/Rock

This album-length collection of miscellaneous tracks from the permanently relaxed indie songwriter includes unreleased originals, alternate takes, and covers of Wilco and Dylan.

— Fred Thomas

2 Chainz / Lil Wayne

Welcome 2 Collegrove

Def Jam

Rap

This collaborative album from two giants of mainstream rap has the loose, fun feel of a casual mixtape.

— TiVo Staff

Danny Brown

Quaranta

Warp

Rap

The Detroit rapper's sixth album takes on a melancholy tone as he examines deep regrets, self-doubt, and a full spectrum of undiluted emotions.

— Fred Thomas

Vince Clarke

Songs of Silence

Mute / Mute Artists

Electronic, Pop/Rock

At once hypnotic and adventurous, the first solo album by the synth pop luminary captures home-studio experiments on modular synth format Eurorack.

— Marcy Donelson

The Kinks

The Journey, Pt. 2

BMG

Pop/Rock

The second volume in the career-spanning collection captures some of the band's greatest songs -- and some from their 1970s low point.

— Mark Deming

Duster

Remote Echoes

Numero Group

Pop/Rock

Collection of early demos, some previously unreleased, that show the lo-fi shoegaze band in their promising, often magical, very early days.

— Tim Sendra

John Luongo

Arthur Baker Presents Dance Masters: John Luongo - The Classic Dance Remixes

Edsel

R&B

Four-disc anthology of the Bostonian disco legend's remix work bringing together the likes of Melba Moore, Cabaret Voltaire, and Shakin' Stevens.

— Andy Kellman

Various Artists

Blank Generation: A Story of U.S./Canadian Punk & Its Aftershocks 1975-1981

Cherry Red

Pop/Rock

Documentary about the early days of U.S. and Canadian punk and its offshoots, as played by all sorts of weirdos, tough guys, and art lovers.

— Tim Sendra

Various Artists

Looking for the Magic: American Power Pop in 70s

Grapefruit / Grapefruit

Pop/Rock

Exciting and informative collection that captures all the breathless pop nuggets of an era, both from classic bands and total obscurities.

— Tim Sendra

Juan Gabriel

México con Escalas en Mi Corazón (Ciudades)

Virgin / Virgin Music US Latin

Latin

An album completed shortly before the great singer/songwriter's death pays homage to the Mexican cities that nurtured him and his talent.

— Thom Jurek

Juliana Hatfield

Juliana Hatfield Sings ELO

American Laundromat Records

Pop/Rock

A stripped-back, buoyant tribute to the sweet tunes of Electric Light Orchestra.

— Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Kenny Wayne Shepherd

Dirt on My Diamonds, Vol. 1

Provogue

Blues, Pop/Rock

A punchy, soulful set partially recorded at FAME studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

— Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Kishi Bashi

Music from the Song Film: Omoiyari

Joyful Noise

Stage & Screen, Pop/Rock, Classical

Over 70 minutes of music, including new songs, alternate versions, and score material, for a cautionary documentary about anti-immigrant sentiment.

— Marcy Donelson

Thea Gilmore

Mighty Village

Pop/Rock

Both empowering and tender feminist viewpoints govern a musically mercurial LP that finds the singer reclaiming her name after an album as Afterlight.

— Marcy Donelson