Editors' Choice for January 2022

Album cover for Fingers Crossed

Fingers Crossed

Slumberland

Members of Burnt Palms, Lunchbox, and Kids on a Crime Spree make a not-to-be-missed trio debut for fans of punk-leaning D.I.Y. indie pop.

— Marcy Donelson

Album cover for The Gods We Can Touch

The Gods We Can Touch

Glassnote Entertainment Group

An ambitious mix of intimate acoustic, club-fit electro, and sweeping orchestral pop marks the Norwegian's mythology-themed fourth album.

— Marcy Donelson

Album cover for Crisis of Faith

Crisis of Faith

Spinefarm Records

The Canadian rock stalwarts process societal issues big and small with this lean burst of punk-inflected anthems.

— Neil Z. Yeung

Album cover for E2-XO

E2-XO

!K7

Ambitious, genre-spanning project from Tom Middleton (Global Communication) that explores themes related to artificial intelligence and space travel.

— Paul Simpson

Album cover for The 7th Hand

The 7th Hand

Blue Note

On his sophomore offering, the alto saxophonist and composer asks and entertains an audacious question: What if God joined the band?

— Thom Jurek

Album cover for Godmother

Godmother

Fire Records

A standout figure in psychedelic folk circles adds a completely new and unexpected dimension to her craft with this album of synth experiments and electronically augmented arrangements.

— Fred Thomas

Album cover for Piece of Me

Piece of Me

Big Crown
R&B

Still tight with Leon Michels, Nicole Wray augments fine contemporary soul singles dating back to 2019 with fresh material up to the same standard.

— Andy Kellman

Album cover for Change the Show

Change the Show

BMG / BMG Rights Management

The Last Shadow Puppets co-leader brings a frothy, glitter-punk swagger to his ebullient fourth album.

— Matt Collar

Album cover for Extreme

Extreme

Night School

Sprinkling sunlight and variety (loud guitars, sparkling pop) into her melancholy musical mix proves to be a magical move that's a striking reboot for Nilsson.

— Tim Sendra

Album cover for Fuse

Fuse

Upset the Rhythm

The Nagoya, Japan-based punk outfit's first full-length is a whirlwind introduction to their crazed yet cohesive attack.

— Heather Phares

Album cover for Marchita

Marchita

Glassnote Entertainment Group

The Mexico City-based songstress delivers a simply rendered set of emotionally powerful songs that reflect tradition but are not traditional.

— Thom Jurek

Album cover for Wilds

Wilds

Phosphonic

The moodily autumnal psych combo return from a break with their most assured and song-based album to date.

— Tim Sendra

Album cover for Dawn FM

Dawn FM

Republic
R&B

Abel Tesfaye indulges his frantic romantic side with numerous synthesizer-powered '80s flavorings on his follow-up to After Hours.

— Andy Kellman

Album cover for Night Call

Night Call

Interscope / Polydor

Singer Olly Alexander's first solo album as Years & Years is a sleek disco- and house-infused production.

— Matt Collar