Junior Boys Move in a Gentler Direction with ‘Waiting Game’
On Junior Boys’ Waiting Game, the sounds are slowed down significantly, and we’re pulled into a far tighter space than in the past, reflecting our melancholy.
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Gold Panda’s ‘The Work’ Is a Warm Aural Embrace
Humanity and kindness emanate from The Work which shows off Gold Panda’s agility and skill in the studio. The effect is hypnotic and captivating.
King Hannah Blend Influences and Original Impulses on Full-Length Debut
King Hannah’s new album shows the duo honing their sound and posture, building on the more Dionysian and possibly less self-conscious stylings of their 2020 EP.
Boy Harsher’s ‘The Runner’ Is Compelling as Both Film and Soundtrack
Boy Harsher chose to fill dark times by creating a film and soundtrack. The Runner, a sharp 30-minute horror, unfurls tantalizingly ambiguous events at a stately place.
Los Bitchos Are Ready to ‘Let the Festivities Begin’!
Los Bitchos brings together four women from different countries who create instrumental rock with a global vibe on Let the Festivities Begin!
Imarhan Return with Luminous Desert Rock on ‘Aboogi’
Desert rock’s Imarhan have always been strongest for their subtleties, and never more so than on the immaculately crafted tracks of Aboogi.
Son Lux’s ‘Tomorrows II’ Has Added Resonance After the Capitol Riot
If there's a narrative arc to the Tomorrows trilogy, the upcoming final volume may not offer more than a cautious hope. Yet, such precariousness produces Son Lux's most probing, gorgeous music.
Turkish Synthpop’s Jakuzi Keeps It Gloomy on New Darkwave Album ‘Hata Payı’
On Hata Payı, Jakuzi tackles inward shadows: heartbreak, depression, nihilism. It's bleak. It's indulgent. It's good, solid, crowd-pleasing misery, and who doesn't want a hit of that from time to time?
The Power of Pop Triumphs Over Xenophobia on Sinkane’s ‘Dépaysé’
On his new release Dépaysé, Sinkane puts the justified outrage over the US Muslim travel ban and systemic discrimination in general to music.
White Denim Keep Their Weird Boogie Punk Hybrid Intact on ‘Side Effects’
On Side Effects, Austin's White Denim continue to mine an odd combination of retro styles to create a record that is wildly and refreshingly unpredictable.
Roosevelt Aims to Create Non-Populist Pop on ‘Young Romance’
On Young Romance, Roosevelt's '80s-indebted yet EDM-inflected confections aren't as anthemic as he wants them to be, but they're almost uniformly infectious.
Gold Panda: Good Luck and Do Your Best
Better considered as an 11-track experience than a conventional album, Gold Panda’s Good Luck and Do Your Best is a work of admirable consistency and tonal clarity.