Descendents 9th & Walnut

Descendents : 9th & Walnut

A set of “lost” songs from the legendary punks that feels as strong as anything they’ve released.

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Vince Staples : Vince Staples

Staples returns after three years with another concise but intensely focused set, produced by Kenny Beats.

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Darkside : Spiral

An expansion of Dave Harrington and Nicolas Jaar’s slowly expanding universe.

Azure Ray Remedy review

Azure Ray : Remedy

Maria Taylor and Orenda Fink’s first album in 10 years remains true to their whisper core aesthetic.

Lambchop Showtunes review

Lambchop : Showtunes

The prolific Nashville outfit continues apace with a meditative and atmospheric new set of songs.

Twin Shadow self titled review

Twin Shadow : Twin Shadow

A sunnier pop record from George Lewis Jr., just in time for summer listening.

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Midwife : Luminol

Madeline Johnston’s follow-up to last year’s Forever feels like a companion album.

best albums of 2021 Half Waif

Half Waif – Mythopoetics

Nandi Rose continues a streak of wonderfully melancholy albums with a greater emphasis on electronics.

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At the Gates : The Nightmare of Being

The Gothenburg death metal legends continue an unstoppable second act with their latest.

FACS still life in decay review

FACS : Present Tense

The Chicago post-punk band loosens up slightly and lets in some rhythm.

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MIKE : Disco!

The New York rapper/producer employs a brighter sound while acknowledging the grief that follows him.

Darkthrone Eternal Hails review

Darkthrone : Eternal Hails……

The black metal veterans represent all the glory and strangeness of classic heavy metal on their latest.

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Sault – Nine

The London R&B collective’s third album in one year is shorter, grittier, but with a sense of playfulness amid the realism

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Hiatus Kaiyote : Mood Valiant

A lush and vulnerable record from the Australian R&B group that arrives after a long and devastating break.

Modest Mouse Golden Casket review

Modest Mouse : The Golden Casket

It’s amusing to consider Modest Mouse conceptualizing The Golden Casket, knowing that whatever was written…

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L’Rain : Fatigue

The abstract pop/R&B artist takes a subtle step toward accessibility

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Danny Elfman : Big Mess

The former Oingo Boingo frontman returns with his first rock album in decades, one that stands among his most ambitious.

Backxwash best albums of 2021

Backxwash : I Lie Here Buried With My Rings and My Dresses

The Polaris Prize-winning rapper delivers a sophomore album that offers defiance in a bleak world.

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Faye Webster – I Know I’m Funny haha

The Atlanta singer/songwriter delivers a warmly intimate set of songs that feel like summer.