Editors' Choice for January 2024

First album in ten years by the Chilean-French rapper whose poetry expands to embrace a wealth of instructive experiences.

— Thom Jurek

Five-disc set that goes far beyond compiling the dynamic Houstonians' seven studio LPs for Atlantic and Philadelphia International.

— Andy Kellman

The British singer/songwriter finds buoyancy and resilience on his gorgeously arranged fifth LP.

— Timothy Monger

Long-forgotten recordings from a gig in 2000 made by producer Kramer spotlight the crushing sweetness and vulnerability this outsider artist brought to his live performances.

— Fred Thomas

Mesmerizing interpretations of Celtic and Appalachian folk tunes, self-released in 1978 and later hailed as an avant-folk classic.

— Paul Simpson

An underrated indie pop classic made up of jangling guitars, melancholy melodies, and enough tender heartache to make even the most hard-hearted shed a tear.

— Tim Sendra

The former Bad Plus pianist leads two different trios on his inventive, unpredictable second Blue Note album.

— Matt Collar

Extraordinary historical instrument performances of Saint-Saëns orchestral works, familiar and unknown.

— James Manheim

Baroque pop ballads with country around the edges, the singer/songwriter's 25th album (overall) is a beautifully weary, melodically rich look at modern life.

— Tim Sendra

Melding Cuban sounds with jazz and funk, the first proper album from Cuban legends Irakere showcases an ensemble arriving full formed.

— Thom Jurek

Recorded at the same time as Red Moon in Venus, the artist's second Spanish-language album stands ready to break into the mainstream.

— Thom Jurek

The singer's lyrics are still astute on a more warmly orchestrated sophomore album concerned with love and all its complications.

— Marcy Donelson

The songwriter emerges from a period of pandemic-provoked writer's block with a compellingly explicit post-breakup album.

— Marcy Donelson

Returning with the sextet that cut Amaryllis, the guitarist charts an adventurous course embracing musical difference and common cause.

— Thom Jurek

The harpist demonstrates her range from soundscape weaver to art-pop maverick on her bewildering debut album.

— Paul Simpson

One of the top guitarists of the day turns to South American music.

— James Manheim

In the wake of a personal tragedy, Sleater-Kinney plays with a sense of cathartic purpose.

— Stephen Thomas Erlewine

The third album from this French psychedelic prog-metal trio is an epic saga of unrelenting power and fantastical side quests.

— Fred Thomas

Aided principally by Zo!, Tall Black Guy, and Phonte, the high-caliber singer turns in a lavish sixth album of contemporary soul.

— Andy Kellman

Born of a D.I.Y. collective, a mystical three-act musical involving a quest that translates into a beguiling art-folk concept album.

— Marcy Donelson

Returning from a lengthy hiatus, the band showcases their electronic and cinematic influences on their seductive, mirage-like third album.

— Heather Phares

Expanded edition of the band's first full album, a love letter to country and folk-rock with a fiery heart and soul.

— Mark Deming

The trio's sophomore outing is a mood-heavy trip that requires some attention for its nourishing payoff.

— Neil Z. Yeung

The singer/songwriter blends grunge, folk, and electronic pop, as well as hope and fear, on bracing meditations about happily ever after's aftermath.

— Heather Phares

Collection of all the first-rate British psychedelic harmony pop band's officially released singles plus three discs' worth of mostly unheard until now home recordings.

— Tim Sendra