Editors' Choice for April 2024

Album cover for Orchestras

Orchestras

Blue Note

The guitarist leads his trio on this lush orchestral collaboration with arranger Michael Gibbs.

— Matt Collar

Album cover for Reverence

Reverence

Smoke Sessions

The alto saxophonist leads his quintet at New York's Smoke night club on this ebullient homage to pianist Barry Harris.

— Matt Collar

Album cover for $10 Cowboy

$10 Cowboy

Son of Davy

The Texas troubadour slides into a soulful groove on this exceptional sequel to his breakthrough The Man from Waco.

— Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Album cover for Final Summer

Final Summer

Pure Noise

The band's tenth album is packed with the surging emotions and melodies fans expect, as well as a surprising amount of wisdom and joy.

— Heather Phares

Album cover for Xenopocene

Xenopocene

Dome of Doom

A sprawling, futuristic space exploration inspired by the artist's residency with the SETI Institute.

— Paul Simpson

Album cover for Culture Today

Culture Today

So Soul Records

An auspicious debut from this Scotland-based European duo who weave together neo-soul, contemporary jazz, hip-hop, funk, and electronica.

— Thom Jurek

Album cover for Tabula Rasa

Tabula Rasa

Birdman Records

The Detroit-area supergroup turn from free-flowing drones to riff-heavy prog and hard rock on their third album in two years.

— Paul Simpson

Album cover for SUA

SUA

HHBTM

Unreleased, revisited, and live tracks from a lesser-known band in Athens, Georgia's vibrant college rock scene of the '80s.

— Fred Thomas

Album cover for When We Were Looking

When We Were Looking

Yep Roc

Produced by Sam Kassirer (Josh Ritter, Lake Street Dive), an accomplished debut that merges alt-country, indie folk, dreamy psych, and dolefulness.

— Marcy Donelson

Album cover for This Ain't the Way You Go Out

This Ain't the Way You Go Out

Communion Records

A jazzier, more collaborative fifth album from the U.K. singer/songwriter, informed by working with Logic and Kwes., and inspired by major life events.

— Marcy Donelson

Album cover for Silence Is Loud

Silence Is Loud

Island

Full-length debut from the award-winning singer/producer, seamlessly blending jungle's head-rush breakbeats with neo-soul introspection.

— Paul Simpson

Album cover for Orbital

Orbital

London / London Records

Double-CD reissue of the U.K. techno duo's seminal debut, including rarities, remixes, and two previously unreleased tracks.

— Paul Simpson

Album cover for The Falls of Sioux

The Falls of Sioux

Polyvinyl

Working again with producer S. Carey, Mike Kinsella's 11th solo outing finds him a little older and more accepting but far from contented.

— Marcy Donelson

Album cover for Dark Matter

Dark Matter

EMI Records / Monkeywrench

An unexpectedly sleek and streamlined evocation of the alt-rock band's 1990s prime.

— Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Album cover for Colours & Light

Colours & Light

Mr. Bongo

Second album of psychedelic sounds with head-nodding beats and flashy guitar work, this time with folk and Turkish influences.

— Tim Sendra

Album cover for All Born Screaming

All Born Screaming

St. Vincent / Total Pleasure / Virgin

Drawing on industrial, grunge, ska, and more, Annie Clark expresses the terror and exhilaration of being alive with ferocious, candid songs.

— Heather Phares

Album cover for EXTRA

EXTRA

Mute

This collection of single tracks and live cuts helps present a complete picture of the group's gripping blend of gothic drama and noise-damaged guitar rock.

— Tim Sendra