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Cory Smythe Merges Jazz and Classical on 'Circulate Susanna'

Cory Smythe's Circulate Susanna is a mysterious meditation on rural America (and minstrel songs) as heard through the ears of a pianist with history in both new music and improvised music, featuring extended vocal technique and detuned guitar.

Music

Aizuri Quartet's 'Blueprinting' Is One the Best Contemporary Classical Debuts of the Year

The string quartet format is tried and true within classical music. However, there's something truly special about the Aizuri Quartet, something vivacious and energetic that makes their performances truly irresistible.

Music

Horne + Holt Demonstrate the Beauty of Experimentation, Strings on New LP, 'Wires' (album stream)

Ex-Godspeed You! Black Emperor and White Denim/Young Mothers men (Jonathan F. Horne and Randall Holt) join forces for a gorgeous cello, guitar collaboration on Wires.

Music

Layers of Poetry, Piano, and Silence Resonate with the Latest from Composer Maike Zazie

Stillness and language resonate with a beautiful message on Fragmente, a fantastic new release from the Berlin-centric composer Maike Zazie.

Music

Old and New Worlds Meld on Esther Lamneck's 'Tárogató Constructions'

Woodwind virtuoso Esther Lamneck interacts with live electronics on her latest from Innova, Tárogató Constructions.

Music

Luke Cissell Is Joyfully All Over the Map with 'Thinking/Feeling'

Musical polymath and classical composer Luke Cissell releases another album that's impossible to categorize but very easy to love.

Music

Marc Mellits and New Music Detroit Shred, Soothe, and Smolder on Their First Recorded Collaboration

The hippest composer in post-minimalism today, Marc Mellits, receives an excellent tribute from the superb contemporary music ensemble, New Music Detroit.

Music

New Indiana Issues "Media" Ahead of Debut Album (premiere)

Longtime friends in New Indiana turn their habit of recording conversations into art on "Media", a cross between contemporary classical and chamber pop.

Jedd Beaudoin

Music

Alva Noto and Ryuichi Sakamoto Take an Exquisite Journey on 'Glass'

Musical innovators Alva Noto and Ryuichi Sakamoto recorded Glass live, totally improvised and inspired by an extended moment spent within structure, art, and nature.

Music

Hior Chronik - "Magnolia" (video)

Greek neo-classical composer Hior Chronik shares his latest gorgeous video for "Magnolia".

Music

Every Scene Fades: An Interview with Ambient Producer Rafael Anton Irisarri

He was one half of the duo behind PopMatters' top pick for Ambient/Instrumental album of 2017, and now Rafael Anton Irisarri is taking ambient music in a surprising direction: one that's intended to remind you of the apocalypse.

Music

Echo Collective Pays a Glorious Homage to Radiohead's 'Amnesiac'

Echo Collective Plays Amnesiac is a stunning record of vibrant highs and sedated lows, interpreted with irresistible grace and wit by a stellar group of musicians.

Music

Árstíðir Previews New LP 'Nivalis' With "While This Way" (premiere)

Icelandic outfit Árstíðir continues breaking new ground with "While This Way", which is poised to introduce a new range of fans to the veteran group.

Music

Sarah Cahill Honors Terry Riley in a Moving, Pristine Four-Disc Collection

Eighty Trips Around the Sun: Music by and for Terry Riley is a massive tribute in honor of the pioneering composer on his 80th birthday. A labor of love and admiration from Sarah Cahill, unquestionably one of the finest pianists of our age.

Music

'Pulse/Quartet' Is a Testament to Steve Reich's Engaging Compositional Voice

With excellent contributions from the International Contemporary Ensemble and the Colin Currie Group, Steve Reich's Pulse/Quartet is a shining work from a modern master.

Music

Modern Music Icons Laurie Anderson and Kronos Quartet Collaborate with Heart-stopping Beauty

There's no mistaking that Landfall is an album heavy with gloom and grief. Nonetheless, it's beautiful and an excellent first collaboration between Anderson and Kronos.

Music

Pop Ten

The 60 Best Songs of 2018

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The 20 Best Avant-Garde and Experimental Albums of 2018

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