Editors' Choice for November 2011

Eerie, psychedelic soul and pop filtered with masterful skill through decades of breakbeat culture.

— Andy Kellman

Bradford Cox's third Atlas Sound album is also his spaciest, with a determined fragility that makes it all the more moving.

— Heather Phares

Brite Futures' debut is a bubbly dance-pop confection that's 100 percent substance free and 100 percent fun.

— Tim Sendra

Actor Donald Glover becomes Childish Gambino and takes a remarkable swing at indie rap with this debut album.

— David Jeffries

Dark and eccentric, David Lynch's debut solo album is a fine example of how he puts his unmistakable stamp on every art form he attempts.

— Heather Phares

Take Care is a low-key, introspective rap-meets-R&B album that investigates the hazards of fame and the successes and failures of Drake's love life.

— Tim Sendra

Etta James ends her career with The Dreamer, a fitting collection of soul, blues, and R&B.

— Thom Jurek

Finally, a disc that combines Sinatra’s hits for Capitol and his hits for Reprise!

— Stephen Thomas Erlewine

What it might have been like to hang out with Ford for an evening, when the stories and songs flow as steadily as the beer.

— Andy Kellman

Jonathan Coulton returns with a little help from TMBG's John Flansburgh on Artificial Heart.

— Gregory Heaney

On their debut, Korallreven display all the warmth and inner beauty of the best Swedish electronic pop, like fellow synthy dreamers Air France, jj, and the Tough Alliance.

— Tim Sendra

Laurent Korcia's solid technique enhances his passion and fearlessness in these two powerhouse violin concertos.

— V. Vasan

On their debut, the Italian duo M+A make giddy electronic pop, imbuing the keyboards, sequencers, and programs with a bubbly warmth.

— Tim Sendra

Jazz drumming icon Steve Reid's final concert with electronic music innovator Kieran Hebden and Swedish saxophone powerhouse Mats Gustafsson.

— Thom Jurek

The unclassifiable maverick illustrates a spectrum of aching emotions throughout one of the finest and rawest recordings of her career.

— Andy Kellman

Miranda Lambert gets tougher and funnier -- and more adventurous -- on her terrific album Four the Record.

— Stephen Thomas Erlewine

A bold debut, Hollandaze brings menace, muscle, and a fluency in rock history to its lo-fi noise rock.

— Heather Phares

The group follow their mainstream breakthrough with another classic, with lyrics inspired by former frontman Syd Barrett.

— Paul Simpson

The Clipse member makes his solo debut via Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music label.

— David Jeffries

This five-disc set collects the A- and B-sides of the 53 singles Ray Charles released for ABC-Paramount between 1960 and 1972, along with select album tracks that were formatted for radio play at the time and a handful of live tracks from the period, making a full survey of Charles at his creative and commercial peak.

— Steve Leggett

Rihanna's sixth album in seven years, Talk That Talk is highlighted by dark and sleek collaborations with Stargate and Esther Dean.

— Andy Kellman

The Ottawa roots-punk outfit does their best '70s impression on this follow-up to their Dirtnap debut.

— Jason Lymangrover

The holy grail of classic rock is presented in reissue form, including editions with up to five discs (plus three slabs of vinyl).

— John Bush

The Muppets' soundtrack offers silliness and sentimentality that both longtime fans and new audiences will embrace, as smart as it is surprising.

— Chrysta Cherrie

Eclectic but hard-rocking 1978 album marks new territory for the band.

Backed by the Roots, the undervalued do-it-all returns, navigating through the upbeat attitudinal jams and slower romantic cuts with finesse and strength.

— Andy Kellman

The Sea Lions' debut is a breathless dash though 15 wonderfully mopey and sincere C-86-inspired indie pop gems.

— Tim Sendra

The group re-examine their mod roots on this ambitious concept album, later turned into an era-defining movie.

— Paul Simpson

Thanks to its versatility and wildness, Carrion Crawler/The Dream captures Thee Oh Sees' live vibe like none of their records before.

— Chrysta Cherrie

The mash-up/spice-up aesthetic of Diplo’s label comes through (very) loud and clear on this exciting sampler.

— David Jeffries

Featuring the single “Chain Music,” the rapper’s sophomore release is a varied and vibrant success.

— David Jeffries