Editors' Choice for August 2022

Album cover for Against the Odds 1974-1982

Against the Odds 1974-1982

Capitol / EMI Records / Numero Group / UMC

A comprehensive, complete set chronicling Blondie at their prime captures what made them such a striking, special band.

— Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Album cover for Alluvium

Alluvium

Bella Union

The Scottish multi-instrumentalist offers another set of sophisticated, elegant pop with a optimistic feel.

— Timothy Monger

Album cover for Heartmind

Heartmind

Anti-

A playful, breezy tenth full-length that looks at music and humanity through a delightfully wry lens.

— Marcy Donelson

Album cover for Holy Fvck

Holy Fvck

Island

This raw, hard rock pivot from the erstwhile pop star is a thrilling, pleasant surprise.

— Neil Z. Yeung

Album cover for Freakout/Release

Freakout/Release

Domino

Recorded at the band's own studio, their crisp, engaging eighth album finds opportunities to grow closer -- or start over -- during moments of crisis.

— Heather Phares

Album cover for Mint Chip

Mint Chip

Drag City

The second full-length from this L.A. art pop duo adds new definition and upped production values to their patchwork of unpredictable psychedelic sounds.

— Fred Thomas

Album cover for Will of the People

Will of the People

Warner Records

This "greatest hits but not" set intentionally repurposes the band's essential sounds on their tightest effort to date.

— Neil Z. Yeung

Album cover for Reset

Reset

Domino

This joint album from the longtime collaborators taps into the essence of their individual strengths and delivers its songs with a newfound sense of carefree joy.

— Fred Thomas

Album cover for Done Come Too Far

Done Come Too Far

Alligator / Alligator Records

Building on the momentum harnessed on her last two studio albums with producer Will Kimbrough, the Texas-born singer transcends them here.

— Thom Jurek

Album cover for Unravelled: 1981-2002

Unravelled: 1981-2002

Merge

Career-spanning anthology from this New Zealand lo-fi duo illuminates just how profound their influence was on most of the indie rock that followed.

— Fred Thomas

Album cover for In the Fade

In the Fade

Run for Cover Records

Molina's first album that combines -- perfectly -- the bracing power pop crunch, melody-rich Baroque pop, and tender ballads he has previously kept separate.

— Tim Sendra

Album cover for Ride

Ride

Provogue

On his 30th album, the legendary bluesman reflects on his life, career, and the state of America with poignancy and vulnerability.

— Thom Jurek