Editors' Choice for December 2013

Album cover for Wolves Within

Wolves Within

Sumerian Records

After the Burial continue to push the boundaries of progressive metal to the extreme on their fourth studio album.

— Gregory Heaney

Album cover for Sum/One

Sum/One

4AD

Debut solo album of electronic wizardry and mutant pop production from founding member of art rockers Gang Gang Dance.

— Fred Thomas

Album cover for Beyoncé [CD/DVD]

Beyoncé [CD/DVD]

Columbia
R&B

Surprise-released during a world tour, an expansive and purposeful work showcasing an artist in total control, at her creative and commercial peak.

— Andy Kellman

Album cover for You Were Right

You Were Right

Readymade

Always tuneful pop songwriter gathers together previously issued singles from a monthly series for this colorful yet cohesive album.

— Fred Thomas

Album cover for Because the Internet

Because the Internet

Glassnote Entertainment Group
Rap

Indie rap, R&B flash, and celebrity problems all come together on the rapper’s bold and flashy 2013 release.

— David Jeffries

Album cover for Swoon

Swoon

Graveface Records

Debut album full of peppy female-fronted indie pop that alternates nicely between uptempo love songs and slow love-lost songs.

— Tim Sendra

Album cover for The Kitchen

The Kitchen

Hieroglyphics Imperium Records
Rap

After a decade off, Del the Funky Homosapien's crew return with a loose and rewarding throwback effort.

— David Jeffries

Album cover for Sings

Sings

Melanaster

Second album by North Carolinian producer features warm, woody electronica and tranquil ambience sounding like a thawed-out American Autechre.

— Timothy Monger

Album cover for Live at the Cellar Door

Live at the Cellar Door

Reprise

Recorded just months after the release of After the Goldrush, this somber live recording finds Young at a hushed high point in his career.

— Fred Thomas

Album cover for Join the Dots
TOY

Join the Dots

Heavenly

The quintet blends all the directions of its debut -- Krautrock, shoegaze, post-punk -- into a more natural, and exciting, second album.

— Heather Phares

Album cover for Nina

Nina

Graveface Records

A tribute to Nina Simone that celebrates the boldest parts of her music as well as Xiu Xiu's.

— Heather Phares