Editors' Choice for May 2022

Album cover for Interstellar Black Space

Interstellar Black Space

Brainfeeder

Vocoder-equipped keyboardist returns with his highly energetic, feel-good third LP as a leader, joined by a large cast including Kamasi Washington.

— Andy Kellman

Album cover for Blue Skies

Blue Skies

Fat Possum Records

The Chicago trio furthers the enhanced clarity and emotional depth that began on their 2020 album, applying both to some of their best songs to date.

— Fred Thomas

Album cover for Caprices

Caprices

Rubicon / Rubicon Classics

Equally perfect in conception and execution, Humphreys' program combines the virtuoso caprice form with contemporary composition.

— James Manheim

Album cover for Baby, We're Ascending

Baby, We're Ascending

Mute

Stunning debut album from the Australian-born producer and DJ, incorporating more vocals into her euphoric style of psychedelic dance music.

— Paul Simpson

Album cover for Sincere

Sincere

Fire Records

After some lineup changes and a rethink, the band come out blazing on a set of guitar-heavy, emotionally shattered post-punk- and shoegaze-inspired songs.

— Tim Sendra

Album cover for Spell 31

Spell 31

XL

A radical make-over of Black Flag's "Rise Above" merely scratches the surface of what makes the Diaz sisters' third album a singular work.

— Andy Kellman

Album cover for Origin

Origin

Mack Avenue

The pianist comes into his own on this soulful and enveloping album of all-original post-bop.

— Matt Collar

Album cover for John Scofield

John Scofield

ECM

The globally celebrated guitarist delivers his first unaccompanied solo recording five decades into his professional career.

— Thom Jurek

Album cover for This Is a Photograph

This Is a Photograph

Dead Oceans

Stark reflections on family and mortality combine with elevated arrangements for some of this indie singer/songwriter's best work to date.

— Fred Thomas

Album cover for 12th of June

12th of June

Verve

Lyle Lovett returns after a decade-long hiatus with an album that relies on a familiar formula that's yet to be exhausted.

— Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Album cover for Isabela

Isabela

ECM

The second ECM album from the Israeli-born saxophonist and his quartet is brief, emotionally resonant, and revelatory.

— Thom Jurek

Album cover for The Children of Scorpio

The Children of Scorpio

Mr. Bongo

Located dead center on the Venn diagram where nasty funk, atmospheric film scores, and spooky psychedelia meet, the band's debut album is a multi-layered delight.

— Tim Sendra

Album cover for The Last Thing Left

The Last Thing Left

Beach Town Music / Damnably

Tinged by sadness due to the death of their ex-drummer, the band deliver sadness with a pretty melody and the occasional glimpse of hope.

— Tim Sendra

Album cover for How to Let Go

How to Let Go

Island

Triumphant sophomore set from the Norwegian pop star proposes positivity and growth in the face of life's challenges.

— Neil Z. Yeung

Album cover for Sunshine Factory

Sunshine Factory

Company Records

The bloghouse pioneer's first album in 12 years is lighthearted yet resilient, offering a more sustainable version of her party-starting pop.

— Heather Phares

Album cover for Radiate Like This

Radiate Like This

Virgin

Despite a lengthy hiatus and a challenging creative process, the band's spontaneous and sensual fourth album is a welcome return.

— Heather Phares

Album cover for Cruel Country

Cruel Country

dBpm

Jeff Tweedy and co. look back to their country roots with a nuance and imagination they didn't have in 1995.

— Mark Deming