Editors' Choice for March 2024

Album cover for Bright Future

Bright Future

4AD

A varied but consistently high-quality 12-song set recorded with the acoustic trio of Nick Hakim, Mat Davidson, and Josefin Runsteen.

— Marcy Donelson

Album cover for The Carnegie Hall Concert

The Carnegie Hall Concert

Impulse! / Verve

This previously lost concert features the great pianist and harpist with an all-star double quartet performing her own and John Coltrane's compositions.

— Thom Jurek

Album cover for Y’Y

Y’Y

Psychic Hotline

The fourth album by the Brazilian pianist was inspired by a nearly mystical 4,600 kilometer journey to Manaus in the Amazon Basin.

— Thom Jurek

Album cover for Cowboy Carter

Cowboy Carter

Parkwood Entertainment / Columbia

The country-influenced second act in the reclamation trilogy brings history, famous friends, and family legacy together for an impressive statement.

— Neil Z. Yeung

Album cover for Chaka

Chaka

Rhino / Warner Records
R&B

Containing the indestructible disco anthem "I'm Every Woman," a solid solo debut delivered between two of the singer's best LPs with Rufus.

— Andy Kellman

Album cover for CD Wallet

CD Wallet

Shhoamkee

Embracing shoegaze and slowcore, Peter Sagar returns to the guitar-based music of his youth on his impressive sixth album.

— Paul Simpson

Album cover for Akoma

Akoma

Planet Mu

The electronic visionary's third album builds on all of her past achievements, and features high-profile guests like Björk and Philip Glass.

— Paul Simpson

Album cover for Speak to Me

Speak to Me

Blue Note

A gorgeously textured and varied set from the enigmatic guitarist featuring production from Joe Henry.

— Timothy Monger

Album cover for The Collective

The Collective

Matador

The former Sonic Youth member delivers knife-edged beats and hypnotic character studies that feel like the essence of her entire body of work.

— Heather Phares

Album cover for I So Liked Spring

I So Liked Spring

Captured Tracks

Originally available only on cassette, this 1996 album features the words of Victorian-era poet Charlotte Mew as interpreted by a pioneer of lo-fi indie.

— Fred Thomas

Album cover for Nothing Else Matters

Nothing Else Matters

Captured Tracks

1995 album from this home recording visionary finds her making the transition to relatively clearer production without sacrificing her inventiveness or unique songwriting style.

— Fred Thomas

Album cover for Visions

Visions

Blue Note / EMI Records

A bright, colorful record that places equal weight on mood and melody.

— Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Album cover for Bite Down

Bite Down

Merge

The fourth album from this singer/songwriter is an assemblage of simple beauties, gentle freak-outs, and staggering vulnerabilities delivered calmly.

— Fred Thomas

Album cover for Grip

Grip

Secretly Canadian

The singer/songwriter's breezy, tender third album explores the powerful physical and emotional hold of new love within the gay Black club scene.

— Heather Phares

Album cover for Playing Favorites

Playing Favorites

Third Man Records

The Philly band make their Third Man Records debut with their most stylistically diverse yet still rockin' album to date.

— Matt Collar

Album cover for Switched On, Vols. 1-5

Switched On, Vols. 1-5

Duophonic / Warp

A comprehensive box set of the band's singles and rarities collections that completes their fascinating, innovative body of work.

— Heather Phares

Album cover for Parallel Realms

Parallel Realms

Polyvinyl

Album eight hits a sweet spot with 17 bittersweet, grooving synth pop tracks that play out like an hour-long DJ set for the alienated.

— Marcy Donelson

Album cover for Heaven :x: Hell

Heaven :x: Hell

Rise Records

The eighth and final album from the Canadian crew merges their pop-punk and metal-leaning sides onto a sprawling double LP.

— Neil Z. Yeung

Album cover for Torrey

Torrey

Slumberland

The second LP from this Bay Area band finds them exploring a dynamic variety of shoegaze and dream pop approaches.

— Fred Thomas

Album cover for Tigers Blood

Tigers Blood

Anti-

An exceptionally warm and intimate album that benefits from the interaction of a full band featuring MJ Lenderman, Spencer Tweedy, and Phil Cook.

— Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Album cover for Where's My Utopia?

Where's My Utopia?

Island / Republic

Leeds post-punks upstage their Mercury Prize-nominated debut with a wry, chaotic, and infectious follow-up produced by Gorillaz's Remi Kabaka, Jr.

— Marcy Donelson