Editors' Choice for November 2017

Magical early demos the folk-rock outfit recorded for their first three albums, including an a cappella version of "A Horse with No Name."

— Matt Collar

A gorgeous instrumental ambient violin suite recorded underneath a Los Angeles viaduct.

— Timothy Monger

Angela Hewitt's performances of Scarlatti sonatas are distinguished by their crisp rhythms, cleanly articulated ornaments, and incisive attacks.

— Blair Sanderson

This wonderful album contains perhaps Saint-Saëns' two most popular works; thoroughly a pleasure, all the way through.

— James Manheim

These odes are equally good, not common, and well worth the time to get to know in strong, loving performances.

— James Manheim

The Canadian band's 12th studio album is a melodic, wry mix of folky anthems and buoyant pop.

— Matt Collar

Martyn Brabbins and the BBC Symphony Orchestra present the seldom-performed 1920 version of A London Symphony with three Vaughan Williams rarities.

— Blair Sanderson

Scrappy Australian punk with a dollop of pop hooks from Royal Headache and R.I..P. Society folks.

— Tim Sendra

Stephen Wilkinson gives his music new life with hushed yet haunting tracks that sound like the still-reverberating echoes of the past.

— Heather Phares

Chicago's cosmic drone unit Bitchin Bajas continue to fuse spiritual jazz, Krautrock, and new age on this Drag City-issued double album.

— Paul Simpson

The Icelandic artist rebounds from Vulnicura's despair with lighter-than-air songs about thriving after loss.

— Heather Phares

Dylan's gospel years get revived in the 13th installment of the Bootleg Series.

— Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Celebrating their 20-year anniversary and fifth album, this ensemble stand apart in seamlessly weaving American folk forms and jazz.

— Thom Jurek

The folk icon brings her songs and her sound into the present day, where they're timely and powerfully relevant.

— Mark Deming

Nearly six years in the making, the Massachusetts metalcore/punk legends' ninth studio LP serves up a punishing barrage of sonic exclamation points.

— James Christopher Monger

Daniele Gatti marked the occasion of becoming chief conductor of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra with this recording of Mahler's Second.

— Blair Sanderson

The full-length versions of the tracks that appeared on the Fabriclive 93 mix provide a fascinating new context.

— Heather Phares

On his debut as a leader for ECM, the pianist showcases his trio's unique, sophisticated, creative acumen without losing his sense of humor.

— Thom Jurek

A comprehensive, hits-heavy career retrospective available in two- and three-CD editions.

— Stephen Thomas Erlewine

The saxophonist investigates songs by Sergio Mendes, Stevie Wonder, and others on this warm Latin-tinged effort, featuring Jon Faddis.

— Matt Collar

A 20-track collection of the remix whiz's best jams from 2005 to 2015, featuring reworks of Daft Punk, New Order, and more.

— Tim Sendra

An exhilarating, sure-footed noise pop debut produced by Connor Hanwick (the Pains of Being Pure at Heart, the Drums).

— Marcy Donelson

Godflesh explore their industrial and post-punk influences on the tense, moody follow-up to their 2014 reunion album.

— Paul Simpson

Green Day's second hits collection offers a good career overview.

— Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Ambient composer Gregg Kowalsky's first album since moving to Los Angeles is brighter and more optimistic than his past work.

— Paul Simpson

Exhaustive box set documents the first four years of the iconic punk band through rare live and studio recordings.

— Mark Deming

Recorded on the final date of an international tour, this album is a fascinating glimpse into the Canadian composer/vocalist's creative process.

— Paul Simpson

The documentary soundtrack is a moving, thoughtfully curated portrait of the jazz giant, focusing on his creative and spiritual ascension.

— Matt Collar

Eight years after its acclaimed debut, this transcultural ensemble digs further into the history and mystery of Al-Andalus to pose modern questions.

— Thom Jurek

The wily singer, songwriter, and producer delivers his second album for Bella Union backed by Matthew E. White's Spacebomb House Band.

— Thom Jurek

Recommended, even as an introduction to Penderecki's music.

— James Manheim

A beautifully agonizing breakup album released only in Sweden and the U.K. thanks to the rest of the world's antipathy toward the singer's unique persona.

— Tim Sendra

First-class expanded reissue of the Georgia Peach's explosive 1956 debut album; this is rock & roll!

— Mark Deming

An exquisite 15-track debut by the duo of Simon Raymonde (Cocteau Twins) and Richie Thomas (Dif Juz), along with a cast of nuanced vocalists.

— Marcy Donelson

The soul and gospel icon teams with Jeff Tweedy again for an album that addresses troubled times with love and strength.

— Mark Deming

Stunning collection of bedroom R&B tracks and lo-fi disco jams from the mercurial Toronto singer/songwriter.

— Tim Sendra

Megan Henderson leads arts ensemble The Revels in lively performances of Renaissance music, evoking Christmas celebrations in Venice.

— Blair Sanderson

Gallagher revives his noisy, psychedelic glam side.

— Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Impressively restrained and spooky folk-psych from the Oh Sees' Jon Dwyer with help from longtime contributor Brigid Dawson.

— Tim Sendra

Overview of the power pop hero's solo work includes a fiery unreleased live-in-the-studio session.

— Mark Deming

The virtuosic castrati arias in Handel's operas are explored by countertenor Philippe Jaroussky and his period ensemble Artaserse.

— Blair Sanderson

Philippe Jordan and the Vienna Symphony launch a Beethoven cycle, due to be completed by the 250th anniversary of his birth in 2020.

— Blair Sanderson

The quartet members have said that they see these works as reflective of Mendelssohn's life, and that's how they play them.

— James Manheim

The post-hardcore heroes return after 22 years with a record fit for their legacy.

— Bekki Bemrose

A dark, haunting, yet paramountly rewarding album; and though not the band's most representative work, arguably its best.

Baroque violinist Rachel Podger and her period instruments ensemble Brecon Baroque play violin sonatas by Vivaldi, Tartini, Veracini, and Pisendel.

— Blair Sanderson

Third album by three-chord punk architects with inspired covers and classic originals--the artistic equal of their legendary debut.

— Patrick Sullivan

Riccardo Muti celebrated his 75th birthday with performances of Bruckner and Strauss at the 2016 Salzburg Festival.

— Blair Sanderson

For its debut on Linn, the Sollazzo Ensemble presents 14th century moralizing songs that reflect the traditions of the trouvères and troubadours.

— Blair Sanderson

The final recording by John Scott and the Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys features Requiems by Howells and Duruflé.

— Blair Sanderson

Audiences have come to expect fresh approaches from this remarkably consistent player, and that's what he delivers.

— James Manheim

Tenderly heartbreaking post-Flying Nun guitar pop by members of Dick Diver, Twerps, and the Stevens.

— Tim Sendra

The R&B singer's ninth album is a stellar live-in-studio rendering of soul classics produced by her father Syl Johnson.

— Thom Jurek

The Takács Quartet conveys the three nationalistic strands of these wonderful late Dvorák works as few others have ever done.

— James Manheim

Five-song EP that finds the duo at the peak of their mid-fi pop powers.

— Tim Sendra

The second collaboration between noise-metal boundary-pushers the Body and Full of Hell might be the craziest album either group has produced.

— Paul Simpson

The London Waits performed rousing dance music and songs for civic ceremonies and various public functions in the 16th and 17th centuries.

— Blair Sanderson

The sophomore effort from the English quartet draws from a wide array of artists, from the bucolic folk of the Unthanks to the left-field pop of Field Music.

— James Christopher Monger

Generous three-CD box compiling the main tracks from the many singles and EPs by Mancunian post-punk innovators the Fall.

— Paul Simpson

Deceptively inviting and far more accessible than their previous albums, 20 Jazz Funk Greats is Throbbing Gristle's best and most influential work.

— Paul Simpson

The second attempt to sum up the career of the industrial pioneers in a single disc, following 1980's Throbbing Gristle's Greatest Hits.

— Paul Simpson

Throbbing Gristle's proper debut is an uncomfortable but fascinating document of the origins of industrial music.

— Paul Simpson

Definitive, career-inclusive set honoring the wild noise rock band that blazed the trail for Seattle's underground rock scene.

— Mark Deming

The group not only jells as a unit, but offers a distinctive and beautifully persuasive interpretation in the Dvorák.

— James Manheim