Vagabon self-titled review

Vagabon : Vagabon

A turn toward synth-pop that doesn’t do the singer/songwriter any favors.

dry cleaning stumpwork review

Kim Gordon : No Home Record

The former Sonic Youth bassist and vocalist appears to be searching for something new, though it’s not clear that she’s found it.

katatonia sky void of stars review

Opeth : In cauda venenum

The Swedish prog metal icons’ latest is their darkest, and best, in over a decade.

Hovvdy Heavy Lifter review

Hovvdy : Heavy Lifter

The Austin-based band’s third album is a solace from fear, an opportunity to focus onto the light.

jimetta rose the gift review

Tawiah : Starts Again

A stunning, soulful debut from the rising UK R&B singer.

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds Ghosteen review Album of the Week

Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – Ghosteen

A double-album meditation on grief that’s the prettiest and most devastating album of Cave’s career.

Refused War Music review

Refused : War Music

There’s only one tool at the band’s disposal this time, and it’s a sledgehammer.

Gatecreeper Deserted review

Gatecreeper : Deserted

As pure a distillation of old school death metal as one’s likely to hear in 2019.

USA/Mexico Del Rio review

Lightning Bolt : Sonic Citadel

The Rhode Island noise rock duo engages with a broader palette on their seventh album.

cult of luna long road north review

Cult of Luna : A Dawn to Fear

A post-metal album that gains its power from patience and subliminally affecting craft.

big thief two hands review

Big Thief : Two Hands

The rising indie rock outfit follows up their career high with a companion set of songs.

Kamaal Williams DJ-Kicks review

Kamaal Williams : DJ-Kicks

!K7’s DJ mix series is at the top of its game with this latest addition from the London jazz superstar.

sally shapiro sad cities review

Chromatics : Closer to Grey

The Portland synth-pop act’s surprise album isn’t the one you’ve been expecting, but that’s probably a good thing.

Tennis System Lovesick review

Tennis System : Lovesick

The L.A. group delivers one of the strongest shoegaze records of the year.

scaring the hoes review

Danny Brown – uknowhatimsayin¿

A nod to classic hip-hop from an emcee that’s spent his career pushing it into the future.

diamanda galas broken gargoyles review

Mike Patton & Jean-Claude Vannier : Corpse Flower

A record that’s far too safe on one side and too far from perfect on the other.

Monolord : No Comfort

A more rock ‘n’ roll than doom outing from the Swedish stoner outfit.

John Coltrane : Blue World

An inessential but still outstanding posthumous release from the jazz legend.

Trentemøller : Obverse

On the Danish producer’s latest, the hypnosis is the point.

Wilco : Ode to Joy

The band’s most urgent release since The Whole Love, and one of their most tense overall.