Album Reviews
On Abel Tesfaye’s major label debut, he creates a world of fear that’s mostly atmosphere, without the songs to back it.
Texas synth-punk duo goes deeper into gothic doom and into longer compositions on their second album.
DIY success story progresses his off-kilter blues toward a fuller, more dynamic sound.
SLC doom metal group emphasizes the more ethereal aspects of their sound, still crush.
Callahan still sounds warm and earthy on his fourth under his own name, but shrouded in a new layer of darkness.
Norwegian noise-rockers’ self-titled album finds the group continuing to mine the fertile fields of ugly.
Balearic beatmakers ease into bittersweet end-of-summer sounds on their heart-on-sleeve third album.
Members of Jawbox, Office of Future Plans contribute to new set of muscular instrumentals.
With a more radio friendly sound, Monáe continues her impressive pursuit of forward-thinking R&B and funk.
Garage rockers and legendary showmen return after a dark six year absence with a soul-searching new set.
Album number five finds the UK rockers shifting their focus again to heavier electronic sounds.
Canadian death metal outfit continues to show outside-the-box innovation on their first record in 12 years.
Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon and guitarist Bill Nace find soul in experimental techniques on their Matador debut.
For her fourth album of dark art-pop, the LA artist marries electronics to crushing doom for her best set of songs yet.
Los Angeles doom legends’ first “final” album sees reissue 18 years later, still epic and grim as it was then.
Austin band’s major-label debut moves away from gothic storytelling and into autobiographical ’80s nostalgia.
Toronto indie rockers refine their melodic sensibility, without risking too much.
More prominent melodies find their way into the dreamy collaboration between Bon Iver and Collections of Colonies of Bees.