Editors' Choice for August 2021

Album cover for Screen Violence

Screen Violence

Glassnote Entertainment Group

The trio’s fourth album taps into everything that makes them so special among the legions of bands reinventing synth pop in the 2020s.

— Heather Phares

Album cover for Desire

Desire

Mute

The South African artist's stunning debut album expresses tenderness and vulnerability through a dense fusion of art pop and experimental club styles.

— Paul Simpson

Album cover for Yellow

Yellow

Movementt

On her debut album, the London-based composer and multi-instrumentalist creates a holistic meld of spiritual jazz, funk, soul, and electronica.

— Thom Jurek

Album cover for Speedstar

Speedstar

Bar/None Records

A more elemental second album of engaging, shambolic pop from the Elliott Smith and L.A. punk disciple.

— Marcy Donelson

Album cover for Antidotes

Antidotes

4AD

The singer/songwriter, producer, and composer's first two EPs flow between R&B and ambient pop with a velvety, subtle beauty.

— Heather Phares

Album cover for No Sun

No Sun

Gloriette

This dark, challenging, and often fearless album pushes past the hazy R&B tendencies of previous work into more daring and emotionally raw avant-pop territory.

— Fred Thomas

Album cover for Fire

Fire

Ninja Tune

Kevin Martin delivers another guest-heavy dystopian epic in the vein of London Zoo and Angels & Devils.

— Paul Simpson

Album cover for The Umbrellas

The Umbrellas

Slumberland

The debut LP from this Bay Area band marries specific twee pop and paisley underground influences without losing sight of a more personalized vision.

— Fred Thomas

Album cover for Deep States

Deep States

Joyful Noise

The band's third record is willing to descend even further down the rabbit hole, offering a good time despite all the twists and turns.

— Liam Martin

Album cover for Harmonizer

Harmonizer

Drag City

Somehow Segall manages to sound sleek and nasty at once as he cleans up his garage sound while adding synths and tightening up the arrangements.

— Tim Sendra