Editors' Choice for July 2019

Exposing the horrors of modern society's sins, the industrial metal upstarts deliver a peak in their catalog.

— Neil Z. Yeung

This typical entry in Hewitt's Beethoven sonata series offers original readings in a mix of familiar and less well-known pieces.

— James Manheim

The New York post-punk power trio's sophomore set is rife with compact, minimalist arrangements and compelling dark wit.

— Timothy Monger

Expansive third set from the alt-R&B singer/songwriter features improved production and matured lyrics.

— Neil Z. Yeung

A companion compilation to the 2019 film curated by Beyoncé and featuring a wealth of cross-Atlantic talent.

— Neil Z. Yeung

A riotous tribute to Little Walter that doesn't play like a faithful homage.

— Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Intimate, small-group performances of English music honoring a now-little-known saint.

— James Manheim

The Boston Camerata returns with a collection of music from the dawn of the 16th century under new director Anne Azéma.

— James Manheim

Remastered edition of Brian Eno's 1983 soundtrack, including an album's worth of new material with collaborators Roger Eno and Daniel Lanois.

— Paul Simpson

The band's sixth album adds a bit of psychedelia to their sound, but it remains as reliably raw and punk as any Billy Childish project.

— Tim Sendra

A deeply engaging and whimsical pop song cycle devoted to the 12 men who have stood on the moon.

— Timothy Monger

Deliberate, beautifully detailed reading of the Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1.

— James Manheim

The Los Angeles band's third album of atmospheric, '80s-style goth anthems that both evoke and measure up to their influences.

— Matt Collar

The band's third album is split between Claire England's joyous emo-pop love songs and Peter Richards' gloomy new wave heartbreakers.

— Tim Sendra

The second of two sprawling live double-length albums adds Dungen guitarist Reine Fiske to the lineup, resulting in a powerful performance.

— Thom Jurek

The first of two sprawling, simultaneously issued live albums features the original trio revisiting their catalog with reckless abandon.

— Thom Jurek

Wonderfully delicate music for string quartet by Finzi, some of it arranged from other genres.

— James Manheim

A devastating, unapologetically vulnerable set of quiet songs home-recorded by bandleader Emily Sprague following personal losses.

— Marcy Donelson

An exciting, well-preserved live set from 1978, a year when the band were on top of the world and played like they knew it.

— Tim Sendra

A valediction of Stephen Cleobury as director of the Choir of King's College, Cambridge; also a worthy Howells collection.

— James Manheim

Documenting two sets from a 2017 performance, this longstanding quartet offers a new suite and startling reads of catalog tunes.

— Thom Jurek

A set of nebulous techno and ambient tracks from the Detroit legend, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing.

— Paul Simpson

Joining forces with producer John Parish and members of Lucius and This Is the Kit, Hoop offers up an exquisite set provoked by the day's politics.

— Marcy Donelson

Hyperion scores in its Romantic Violin Concerto series with two unknown works and one from Klemperer's teacher.

— James Manheim

The otherworldly, ethereal solo debut of Eliza Bagg (Pavo Pavo), who puts her voice, including experiments with vocal samples, front and center.

— Marcy Donelson

The tenth album from this long-standing institution of underground psych-rock is one of their most powerful and emotionally direct.

— Fred Thomas

Collection of the Toronto noise rockers' non-LP singles proves they were great from the first moment they went into the studio.

— Mark Deming

The Icelandic indie rock quintet's third set gives them a colorful synth pop makeover.

— Neil Z. Yeung

Brilliant organ recording that was the last one made at Notre-Dame cathedral before the fire of 2019.

— James Manheim

A delightful set of some little-known Partch pieces by a group specializing in performances using Partch's own instruments.

— James Manheim

Essential post-disco, pre-new jack swing R&B throughout this almost-faultless summation of the artist's most successful period.

— Andy Kellman

An artful debut by an English band who align catchy guitar pop, rich atmosphere, and noise.

— Marcy Donelson

The band's "definitive destination" is a challenging, surprisingly tender, and always thought-provoking journey.

— Heather Phares

Singer/songwriter David Berman's final album is filled with lonely songs that are as warm as a hug from a long-lost friend.

— Heather Phares

After a five-year break, the L.A.-based singer/songwriter and actress returns with an emotional powerhouse of a double album.

— Thom Jurek

Sublime recording from Piau of French mélodies, familiar and new, with period instruments.

— James Manheim

On his heady sophomore studio outing, the London-based percussionist leads jazzmen, beatmakers, rappers, and Indian classical singers.

— Thom Jurek

The equally warped, hypnotic, and sweetly wistful companion to 2017's Lingering.

— Marcy Donelson

The final album the singer/songwriter released in his lifetime, a strong collection of songs both heartfelt and darkly funny.

— Mark Deming

Philip Glass continues to break new ground, here with Third Coast Percussion.

— James Manheim

Career-spanning collection of previously unreleased tracks from the master of power pop miniatures.

— Tim Sendra

The Floridian doom-pop quartet's fifth full-length effort administers seismic confections that vary in sweetness but always satisfy.

— James Christopher Monger

Fifty years after being cut, the last great album by the English saxophonist makes its long-awaited appearance as a bona fide jazz holy grail.

— Thom Jurek

A beautifully compiled selection of soul singles from Finland's Timmion Records, magnificently curated by the Daptone staff.

— Thom Jurek

Thrilling and well-compiled three-disc collection that rounds up the rough-and-ready sounds of early U.K. punk in all its many varieties and flavors.

— Tim Sendra

A thrilling and informative set that tracks the various paths the underground took after the seismic explosion of punk in 1977.

— Tim Sendra

With two bands comprised of longtime associates, the drummer and composer illustrates a union of free jazz players past and present.

— Thom Jurek