Cloud Nothings’ ‘Final Summer’ Is a Masterclass in Indie Rock
Cloud Nothings have delivered record after record of catchy, energetic songs without getting stale or repetitive. Final Summer continues that streak.
music review
Shabazz Palaces Resist Profiling on Elusive ‘Exotic Birds of Prey’
Following Robed in Rareness from last fall, Shabazz Palaces continues a provisional series with the cryptic and digressive Exotic Birds of Prey.
Sunday League Resurrect Competent Britpop
Neo-Britpoppers Sunday League bring baroque rock muscle, energetic walls of sound, plus enough British pub swagger to nick your pint right off the bar.
METZ Embrace Melody ‘Up on Gravity Hill’
Canadian noise punks go widescreen on their latest to thrilling effect. METZ embrace melody but still bring the noise Up on Gravity Hill.
Poland’s Coals Seek Solace in Relaxing Melancholy on ‘Sanatorium’
Polish duo Coals always looks for something new in music, and Sanatorium is no different. But in the lyrics and emotions, it’s a return to the past.
Avalanche Kaito’s ‘Talitakum’ Is a Jagged, Electroacoustic Dream
Avalanche Kaito’s Talitakum is one of the most intriguing albums this year so far. It’s a work of futurist folk-rock and a mixed-media sculpture.
Lizzy McAlpine Ages Into Herself on ‘Older’
Older hones in on what makes Lizzy McAlpine a compelling artist: astute observations of being young and in love and still learning what those things mean.
The Who Release an Anemic Mix of a 1982 Historic Show
The third live album of the Who’s 1982 farewell tour improves little on the others. It’s hard to imagine that modern recording technology couldn’t have helped.
Erika Angell’s New LP Makes You Appreciate Her Excellence
Experimentalist Erika Angell has a deep track record of producing intriguing music, but here, under her own name, it feels like she’s created her masterwork.
Aaron Lee Tasjan Is Seriously Funny on ‘Stellar Evolution’
Aaron Lee Tasjan often goes for a laugh with broad puns and subtle references to pop culture. Yes, he is funny, but he is also serious, seriously funny.
Adrianne Lenker’s ‘Bright Future’ Is a Big Record
On Bright Future, Big Thief’s Adrianne Lenker proves how much you can do with so little that you don’t need a ton of flash to craft a stunning record.
Jlin’s Sonic Palette Defies Gravity and Genre on ‘Akoma’
On Jlin’s Akoma, composers long recognized for their innovations, such as Philip Glass, the Kronos Quartet, and Björk, are pulled into her orbit.
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