Rodrigo y Gabriela Go Electric and Add Strings on New Album
Rodrigo y Gabriela’s In Between Thoughts, A New World spawned from lead guitarist Rodrigo discovering the philosophy of nondualism during his COVID-19 recovery.
Chris Conaton
Chris Conaton graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Michigan State University. After bouncing around in several different music teaching jobs as well as a stint working at Lowe's in Michigan, he moved to Houston, Texas. He now teaches elementary school music in suburban Houston. Aside from a couple of minor freelance gigs and keeping a blog specifically for writing reviews, PopMatters is his first regular writing gig.
Nickel Creek Musically Stretch on First Record in Nine Years
Celebrants is the lengthiest record Nickel Creek have ever made. It’s bursting with ideas and is a bit of a sprawl but an exciting set of songs.
The Mars Volta Reimagine Themselves As an Acoustic Latin Ensemble
The Mars Volta’s Que Dios Te Maldiga De Corazon has the same tracklisting as The Mars Volta but presents acoustic arrangements of each song.
Small Tweaks Keep the Hold Steady Engaged on ‘The Price of Progress’
The Price of Progress has all the hallmarks of the Hold Steady but with just enough swerves to keep it interesting. It’s a worthy addition to their catalog.
The New Pornographers Tone Down the Hooks on ‘Continue as a Guest’
Continue As a Guest is a more delicate and less hooky version of the New Pornographers, the most reflective they’ve been since 2007’s underrated Challengers.
mui zyu’s Debut ‘Rotten Bun for an Eggless Century’ Is Sonically Intriguing
Rotten Bun for an Eggless Century is a sonically interesting solo debut and mui zyu’s captivating voice gives nearly every track a worthwhile melody.
Babehoven’s Indie Folk-Pop Feels a Little Undercooked on ‘Light Moving Time’
Babehoven’s Maya Bon is a strong vocalist with a good sense of melody, and it’s the vocal melodies that keep Light Moving Time engaging.
We Are Scientists Add 1980s Synths to Their Power Pop on ‘Lobes’
We Are Scientists’ Lobes is notable for building its songs specifically around keyboard lines and exploration of 1980s-style synth tones.
Sorry’s Songwriting Tweaks Make for a Big Improvement on ‘Anywhere But Here’
Sorry’s Anywhere But Here pokes at rock and pop conventions without being a full-on piss-take on rock music. It’s more rewarding the more it’s listened to.
Old Fire Attempts to Find the Beauty in Bleakness
The music on Old Fire’s Voids is slow and unsettling, like folk music from a location devoid of hope.
Sloan’s 13th Album ‘Steady’ Is Another Strong One
Steady, the title of Sloan’s 13th album, describes their workhorse approach to music while reassuring fans that they’re still around despite hardships.
The Mars Volta’s Return Is Initially Jarring But Ultimately Rewarding
The Mars Volta becomes more rewarding with repetition. Despite the outwardly more accessible style, the group has stuffed it full of intriguing musical choices.
