Editors' Choice for January 2018

Album cover for Encore

Encore

Atlantic / Elektra / Low Country Sound

Splitting the difference between retro-Southern soul and Van Morrison, Anderson East comes up with a minor gem.

— Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Album cover for The Thread That Keeps Us

The Thread That Keeps Us

Anti- / Epitaph

The band's trip to Northern California results in songs that are by turns gentle and bold, traditional and boundary-pushing.

— Heather Phares

Album cover for Ruins

Ruins

Columbia / Sony Music

The Söderberg sisters follow up their major-label debut, Stay Gold, with a breakup album that draws power from discontent.

— Marcy Donelson

Album cover for Vessel of Love

Vessel of Love

Merge

British reggae singer and former Slits member Hollie Cook turns in her strongest album yet, with the help of super-producer Youth.

— Paul Simpson

Album cover for Dearest Everybody

Dearest Everybody

Release Me

On her first solo album since 2009, the songwriter looks with empathy, openness, and poignant reflection at the past and how it informs the present.

— Thom Jurek

Album cover for All for One

All for One

Concord / Concord Jazz

An exuberant, deeply felt sophomore album of genre-bending jazz, gospel, and R&B from the award-winning vocalist and drummer.

— Matt Collar

Album cover for Impossible Star

Impossible Star

Flexidisc / Virtual Label

Jack Dangers and his cohorts return with another strong album of crunchy electro beats, spacy ambient synths, and social commentary.

— Paul Simpson

Album cover for Snares Like a Haircut

Snares Like a Haircut

Drag City

A new label doesn't change much for the L.A. duo, and this is another thrilling blast of noise rock and shoegaze thrills.

— Tim Sendra

Album cover for Defy

Defy

BMG / Rise Records

On the first LP following the departure of Austin Carlile, the Aaron Pauley-led OM&M defy doubts with pure power and melody.

— Neil Z. Yeung

Album cover for This Is Glue

This Is Glue

Trouble in Mind

The New Zealand group's second album adds some needed energy and grit to their classic jangle pop sound.

— Tim Sendra

Album cover for The Official Body

The Official Body

Fat Cat / FatCat Records

The trio's frequently dazzling third album is a joyous celebration of post-punk's outsider status.

— Heather Phares

Album cover for Semicircle

Semicircle

Memphis Industries

Another exuberant blast of life-affirming, heartwarming fun that adds some marching band swagger to their trademark sunny indie pop/hip-hop/funk sound.

— Tim Sendra

Album cover for Calm Before...

Calm Before...

Sundazed

Sole album from this prep-school garage band is a surprisingly accomplished set of thoughtful originals and inspired covers.

— Mark Deming

Album cover for Freedom's Goblin

Freedom's Goblin

Drag City

Broad, expansive album is an eclectic vision of rock's past and present as seen through the eyes of the garage punk hero.

— Mark Deming

Album cover for Homage

Homage

Warner Classics

Frang pays homage to the early 20th century's great violinists with the pieces they played as short encores.

— James Manheim