Never Not Together is the best record Nada Surf have made in quite a while, as it sees the indie rock/power pop group stress the need for more empathy in the world.
Hyperspace ends up being a frustrating record. Beck and Pharrell Williams produce two excellent songs, "Uneventful Days" and "Saw Lightning", but their other five tracks each leave something to be desired.
Once Drive-By Truckers' The Unraveling hits the fourth song, "Thoughts and Prayers", the album dives headlong into the nightmares of the United States in 2020.
Montreal's Little Scream offers up reflections on class and poverty disguised as sweet low-key pop songs on her real grower of an album, Speed Queen.
Going from a trio to a duo doesn't affect Battles' dedication to chirpy synths and deep grooves on their latest, Juice B Crypts.
The good outweighs the not so good on the Avett Brothers' Closer Than Together, but not by a lot. Is it time for producer Rick Rubin to move on?
Lightning Bolt's Sonic Citadel is both punishingly noisy and, at times, surprisingly tuneful. People who are on Lightning Bolt's exceedingly loud, improvisational vibe will find plenty to like here.
The Dead South combine bluegrass and string band sounds into one excellent package with Sugar and Joy.
Hull, UK punk rockers, LIFE offer stripped down sound and creative arrangements that make A Picture of Good Health a compelling second album.
Brandi Carlile, Amanda Shires, Maren Morris, and Natalie Hemby collaborate on a highly entertaining country album as the Highwomen.
The classic rock-inspired Hold Steady sound revitalized on their latest, Thrashing Thru the Passion, with keyboardist Franz Nicolay back and a horn section in tow.
Austin folkies Penny and Sparrow explore low key R&B textures and add a bit of soulful punch to their lovely sound on Finch.
Amidst a tour opening for Beck and Cage the Elephant, Spoon will release a greatest hits collection in August that's a wonderful overview of their music.
Imperial Teen's Now We Are Timeless shows what a veteran band can do when they are locked in together. Highly recommended for fans of the kind of pop-rock that doesn't make the mainstream charts anymore.
Bleached's Don't You Think You've Had Enough? is a summer record with big sing-along power pop songs that deliver.
Glasgow-based indie poppers Sacred Paws offer up a second album full of brisk, bright songs that draw from several styles, notably Afrobeat and post-punk.
Guitar Wolf, Japan's answer to the Ramones, has proudly kept their shtick going for 32 years, and the ravenous pack doesn't let up in their latest, Love and Jett.
Versing is a Seattle-based band that blends elements of '90s alt-rock, shoegaze, and post-punk into a single bland indie rock sound.
Otoboke Beaver's songs run the punk gamut from raging hardcore to bouncy pop-punk and hit most of the points in between on Itekoma Hits.
JR JR releases the album Warner Bros. wouldn't release, plus they add on a new second record for their first new music in four years.
Veteran electronic artist Stubbleman uses piano, bass, and synths to document America on Mountains and Plains. It's an exceptionally well-realized album.
The oppressive level of noise on VR Sex's Human Traffic Jam, Noel Skum's monotone vocal delivery, and the weird but unengaging tangents make this album very much an acquired taste.
Unspoken Tradition's Myths We Tell Our Young is an enjoyable, breezy album. It's fun to listen to and it's well played, but it could use a bit more variety.
Front Porch is Joy Williams at her best. This album embraces Williams' legacy from the Civil Wars and incorporates it into her own musical personality.
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