While Smith Westerns broke out on their last album, “Dye It Blonde,” their follow-up shows that their sound hasn’t gotten stale. Two excellent songs bookend what is otherwise a decent…
At this point, you probably already know whether or not you like She and Him. Volume 3 is Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward at their She-and-Himmiest ever, and if you’re…
Nashville-based singer/songwriter Caitlin Rose is fantastic on her sophomore album. The country influence is heavy, sometimes too much for my taste, and the songs are catchy and radio-friendly. Her voice…
This is kind of a strange, self-indulgent album but rewarding. Villagers mix together a lot of different sounds, with indie rock sensibilities, frequent ambient passages and occasional bursts of singer/songwriter…
Extremely creative/enjoyable instrumental electronic music. The first four tracks are muscular techno soundscapes, with “Breathe This Air” adding a sprinkling of piano flourishes to the mix. The back half of…
Our neighbors from Belmont, the Delta Saints, have created a distinctly Southern debut album. Death Letter Jubilee is a rock album soaked in moonshine and served at some dimly lit…
Brooklyn based singer Arthur Ashin goes all out on his impressive sophomore album, in which he confronts his long-standing depression. Landing somewhere between indie pop, electronica and R&B, Anxiety is…
This album is incredible. Spoken Nerd has made an incredible catchy rap album that has pop undertones, frank lyrics, and a bouncing, dark humor throughout it. Be sure to check…
This is a textbook example of Victory Records metalcore. Exactly what I expected based on the album cover and names (of the band, tracks, album, etc.). But I liked it.…
Solid reggae album. Each song is upbeat and has a mellow sound. A common criticism of reggae as a whole is that it tends to sound repetitive, and it is…
The Break Bots are incredible in their new album By Your Side. This is the kind of album that makes you tap your foot and want to get up and bust a…
This is a John Denver tribute album chock full of amazing artists’ new interpretations of Denver’s beloved songs. These covers are mostly very well-done; the good tracks are fantastic, but…
That’s right. 25 tracks. TMBG make the most of this, their sixteenth album. They’re back to making adult alternative music with their characteristic goofiness, but the silliness of their music…
Mr. Nathan Williams has done it again. Wavves managed to create an increasingly clean, accessible sound while still proving to all of us that he does not give a shite.…
Nashville natives Sammy Mitchell and Jon Marc Winchester make some serious noise on their debut EP. Black Sea Royalty’s sound, falling between traditional hard rock and mid-2000s alt-rock is both…
Master spinner DJ Kentaro mixes one part two-step, one part DNB, one part hip-hop, and two parts electro in his fourth album under Ninja Tune. This mix is high-tempo, head-banging…
WHITE THe WHITE half of Anderson East’s debut double album reveals the Nashvillian’s love of Soul music and poetic lyrics. Seriously, this guy could be a Blue Note artist with Norah Jones…
FIDLAR stands for something we can’t say on the radio, but their music deserves to be played. This SoCal punk band runs on catchy vocals and riffs, muscular production, a…
Being a fan of both artists separately, I expected to love this album. While I do like it, it feels like it’s missing some of the magic that these two…
Delightful dreamy rock from high-cred Montreal sitarist Rishi Dhir. This dude is doing psych right. “Setting Sun” is an immediate throwback to the early ’70s, with transcendental guitar (sitar?) lines…
Matthews Heller’s self-released, self-titled album is passionate, soulful, and grungy. Heller brings classic rock sensibilities and structures to his songs, which vary from the fast-paced and yelloy to the slow…