Editors' Choice for July 2024

Recorded over four years, this double-length is a startling microcosm of the guitarist's development as both a player and composer.

— Thom Jurek

The vocalist/composer's masterwork, using various genres, rhythms, instruments, and voices to offer a meditation on climate change.

— Thom Jurek

The twangy California outfit emerge from a long hiatus with an album that evokes the warm, psychedelic glow of the moon.

— Matt Collar

The soundtrack to a generative biographical documentary provides a well-rounded view of the iconic artist's 50-year solo career.

— Paul Simpson

The Los Angeles duo's third full-length blends balmy, '60s exotica and AM pop melodies with groovy, '90s French house vibes.

— Matt Collar

An adventurous and exquisitely crafted followup to the New Yorker's 2021 critical breakout.

— Timothy Monger

Donald Glover's final album under the Gambino banner is a fitting send-off that delves into R&B, rap, pop, and rock with finesse, style, and emotion.

— Tim Sendra

Forsaking both the bedroom and the orchestra, Claire Cottrill's third album is an alternately sprightly and languid excursion into vintage soul with psychedelic hints.

— Tim Sendra

This welcome return to form blends the Australian duo's quirky surrealism with irresistible beat-driven production.

— Neil Z. Yeung

The jazz and R&B icon unveils his long-lost 1989 orchestral album.

— Matt Collar

Ghost's first concert album is an unholy horn of plenty that delivers on both performance and spectacle.

— James Christopher Monger

The Durham folksinger's first set for Fat Possum is rich in personality and warmth.

— Timothy Monger

The second album from the singer and her Los Angeles community choir packs more optimism and rhythmic punch than their first.

— Andy Kellman

A box set collects the first five albums from this experimental Chicago rock band, bracketing pathfinding material recorded between 1996 and 2002.

— Fred Thomas

Ólafur Arnalds and Janus Rasmussen incorporate more detailed rhythms and orchestral arrangements on their techno project's second album.

— Paul Simpson

This artful, poignant, dreamy duo outing melds originals, covers of traditional folk songs, and jazz classics with poetic new lyrics.

— Thom Jurek

An adventurous and engaging set from a rarely heard instrumental combo of banjo, double bass, and drums.

— Timothy Monger

The saxophonist and his quartet go deeper on his third ECM date, building out their meld of spiritual jazz, post-bop, and folk music.

— Thom Jurek

The ambient pop duo returns after a decade-long hiatus with a full, confident sound and wise outlook.

— Heather Phares

On their third album, the hard-swinging Daptone Afro-Latin band reflect and innovate on the mambo as a core for danceable, creative exploration.

— Thom Jurek

Two rarely recorded Romantic period piano concertos, expertly played, that may set a new standard for each.

— Keith Finke

The ever-candid, fun-loving, genre-melding popster reunites with Juno producer Solomonophonic for an also delightfully over-the-top sequel.

— Marcy Donelson

Expanded edition of a foundational indie-noise-twee (sort of) pop album by one of the exemplary groups of the style's early days.

— Tim Sendra

The always-evolving psychedelic group turns in a quietly adventurous set of deep space grooves, tense string arrangements, and subtly expanding songs.

— Fred Thomas