Amoeba Music

Penelope Trappes' fifth studio album is a tour de force of haunting, ambient, Gothic soundscapes. Her meditative vocals and dark drones of cello wrap themselves around the minimalist, clattering percussion on "Platinum." "Sleep" is ominous and evocative, incorporating subtle elements of distortion and static into its pulses of vocals and strings. "Red Dove" features darkly uplifting synths and hushed vocals, as if cautiously hopeful but with a warning. It's a heavily atmospheric set, unsettling and fascinating from beginning to end. More

California indie band Momma return with a fourth studio album of their nostalgic '90s alternative/grunge-pop sound. Combining strains of Veruca Salt and The Breeders with a mid 2000s hushed indie rock vibe, the band has created a sound that is endlessly familiar and satisfying. "Ohio All The Time" and "I Want You (Fever)" are instant earworms, with irresistible hooks and dreamy production. "Rodeo" is another highlight, offering fuzzed-out guitars and a strong hook à la early Weezer, augmented by soft vocals. More

My Morning Jacket's latest is voyaging music — tunes for dusty highways, open roads, losing and finding yourself. Titled is , the album finds the band moving towards the '70s rock meets AM Gold sound that has always served as an underpinning to their country-informed jams. The tracks are soulful and lively, the mood upbeat and driving. This is an album that sees all the disappointments and drama of life and finds a way to make you just feel good in spite of it all. A listening experience to luxuriate in. More

Charley Crockett is back with a new album that further cements his status as one of our finest contemporary country artists. His latest, Lonesome Drifter , effortlessly combines lonesome country atmospherics with addictive songwriting and classic twang. Heck, listening to this album may (and should!) convince you he's also one of our finest country artists, period. Crockett's sound is timeless, urgent, and gripping, calling to mind legends like Hank Williams and Johnny Cash. Co-produced with Shooter Jennings, Lonesome Drifter is captivating and ultra cool. More

The legendary Bob Mould sounds more vital and electrifying than ever on Here We Go Crazy . The erstwhile Hüsker Dü frontman serves up more blistering, thrashing punk rock in the vein of that essential band on "Neanderthal." On the title track, the sound is gritty and melodic, homey and heartfelt in spite of all the contemporary chaos. Here We Go Crazy finds Mould continuing to deliver urgent, intelligent songs with his inimitable blend of incisiveness and warmth. Crank this one up loud. More

Is there anything the mighty Beyonce can't do? Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably heard of Beyonce's new country album, Cowboy Carter . But this epic 27-track album is so much more than its glorious twang. The songs showcase Beyonce at her most creative, with elements of psych, soul, folk, trap, gospel, blues, hip-hop, pop, and rock effortlessly combining to create their own country melange. With appearances from country legends Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, and Linda Martell, Top 40 stars Miley Cyrus and Post Malone, sometimes under-the-radar Black country artists like Willie Jones, Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy, Reyna Roberts, and Shaboozey, plus musical contributions/samples from Stevie Wonder, Jon Batiste, Paul McCartney, Nile Rodgers, Gary Clark Jr., and Rhiannon Giddens. More

You've probably never heard a leftfield, lo-fi bedroom pop extravaganza quite like X-Cetra's Summer 2000 before. Elementary school pals Jessica, Ayden, Janet, and Mary recorded this ultra DIY album twenty-five years ago, fusing trip-hop, dance pop, downbeat, and '90s R&B into a haunting, off-kilter, gently experimental record with some serious sleeper sleepover hits. The songs are dreamy and hypnotic, trippy and infused with a latent suburban ennui. Out on Numero, X-Cetra has a bit of a cult following and with this 25th anniversary edition, you'll understand why. More

Mogwai sound as brilliant, innovative, and delightful as ever on their latest. The Bad Fire is working-class Glaswegian slang for "hell," a name the band chose to reflect the challenging times the band members were each experiencing when they got together to start work on the album. This is no "depths of despair" album, though. Instead, it sounds like someone crawling their way out of the pit, with panache, grace, and sense of humor intact. Album opener "God Gets You Back" is a hushed, urgent, desperately beautiful ambient track. "Fanzine Made of Flesh" is a driving, '80s synth number with woozy Vocoder vocals. An intensely adventurous album that manages to find joy and hope amidst it all. More

Originally released in 2004, MF DOOM's MM..FOOD? is hailed as a classic hip-hop album full of inventive production, remarkable wordplay, and unique themes. Celebrated for its seamless blend of humor, wit, and social commentary, the album ushers listeners into a bizarre world of food-related metaphors, painting a bitterly comedic portrait of a life tainted by vice, violence, and jealousy. It was a brilliant and novel concept that gave DOOM plenty of room to explore the album’s subjects. Throughout MM..FOOD?, DOOM embeds complex ideas within seemingly simple narratives. Overall, MM..FOOD? is both a social commentary and a piece of social satire, showcasing MF DOOM’s ability to blend serious themes with his unique, playful lyrical style.   More

Kishi Bashi are back with the ebullient, ecstatic Kantos . These high-energy songs are an eclectic blend of jazz, funk, and city pop that'll boost any mood. The compositions are kaleidoscopic and joyful, a party soundtrack for the end of the world. Drawing inspiration from the sci-fi cult classic Hyperion Cantos , philosopher Immanuel Kant, and a visit to the ancient ruins of Crete, Kantos has a lot of emotional depth beneath its dazzling, danceable melodies. More

It has been almost seven years since the last release from Mumford & Sons. Now the British folk rockers are back with Rushmere , an album that'll make your heart beat a little faster. The album takes its name from a pond situated in the London neighborhood where the band first formed. That sense of anticipation and excitement for the future informs the album...as does an older, wiser look back on those days. Restlessness and resilience, relief and belief inform this heartfelt, rollicking, earnest album. More

A Place To Bury Strangers deliver another gloomy, relentless masterpiece on their latest, Synthesizer . Conceived in response to the rise of emotionally void AI, Synthesizer is both icy and ferocious, gritty and brutal. The forcefulness and devastation of the songs, while bolstered by the band's intense guitar work and moody electronics, feels painfully human. The tracks simmer with anticipation and surrender, despair and incorruptible hope. On this record, it feels like the band lets a bit more light peak through the shadows...which makes the listening experience all the more powerful and worth pondering. More

Originally released in 2016, The Easy Truth showcases Apollo Brown & Skyzoo at their electrifying, invigorating best. Lush, imaginative, and just straight up gorgeous, the beats are simply stunning. Brown and his accompanying guest vocalists deliver lyrical thrills and chills that'll keep listeners glued to their speakers. Hearing The Easy Truth — whether it's for the first time or the hundredth — is a pure pleasure. More

Fans of lived-in, warm, and moody folk rock will dig Wilderado's Talker . The band has created a transportive moodpiece with this album, moving seamlessly from downcast but dreamy ballads like "Longstanding Misunderstanding" to driving, rootsy numbers like "Coming to Town." The melodies all seem tied together by an underlying chord of sadness, even on the more rollicking tracks — it's this depth that'll make these understated, incredible songs stick with you. On Talker , evocative country western guitars meet gorgeous folk harmonies to create a quietly powerful collection of songs. More

London duo Ned Franc and Jon Moody revel in soulful, funky electro on their third studio album, Chewing The Fat . Breaking away from some of the glossiness of their previous releases, the new album offers a hardier texture with strong basslines, dreamy synths, and psych-rock flavors. Opening song "Driving On The Wrong Side of The Road" shimmers with a fanciful melody, bouncing bass, and sleepy vocals. The title track delivers a satisfyingly funky groove and is an easy favorite among these feel-good gems. More

Andrew Bird has teamed up again with L.A. singer/songwriter Madison Cunningham for this lovely tribute to the 1973 debut album by Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks, Buckingham Nicks . Covering the album in its entirety, the supremely talented duo lend their own enigmatic touches to such favorites as "Crying In The Night," their voices intertwining elegantly. "Crystal" is lush and melancholy, piercing straight to the heart. "Without A Leg To Stand On" is another gem, gently propulsive and winsome. More

The Norwegian artist Aurora was inspired to write her fifth studio album by a letter about global warming that was co-written by indigenous activists. Her magical blend of indie pop and disco-pop seems especially suited to such an important topic. "To Be Alright" is a lovely, airy track with a stirring melody that exudes a bright hopefulness. "Some Type of Skin" is full of euphoric swells punctuated by Aurora's soaring vocals, while "Your Blood" moves from a melancholy, dreamy verse to a lively chorus. More

Birmingham, Alabama's Early James digs into a gritty, sparse sound on his new album, Medium Raw . The production is once again by Dan Auerbach, but whereas most of the songs on his previous albums were co-written, Medium Raw features more solo compositions, and it's a strong set of jangly folk/rock and blues/rock. Kicking off with the lively "Steely Knives," the album immediately embodies an authentic-sounding old-timey atmosphere. "Gravy Train" is a delightful front porch jam, while "Nothing Surprises Me Anymore" could grace the soundtrack to a moody western film. "Tinfoil Hat" adds to that darker mood, highlighted by some unexpected surf guitar. More

After four years of strong singles and EPs, the brothers Elliott and Virgile Arndt, AKA Faux Real, make their album debut with Faux Ever , a collection of infectious electro-pop gems. The songs combine bright synths and hyperactive beats with quirky, talky vocals and wry lyrics, for example on the New Wave-y "Workhorse," which references the exhausting pace of self-promotion and creative production. "Faux Maux" is a lovely track, with slightly darker verses that build into a shimmering chorus with whimsical sound effects. Elsewhere, "Walking Away From My Demons" is a groovy disco-pop number that's sure to boost your mood. More

Throwback country-rocker JD Clayton follows up his acclaimed 2023 debut with new album, Blue Sky Sundays . The album revels in laidback melodies and '70s soaked vibes, perhaps especially on opening track "Let You Down," which swings in with harmonica and gentle piano chords before digging into a soulful rhythm. "Arkansas Kid" is a bluesy boot-stomper while "Dirt Roads of Red" feels like a loping walk through the countryside, accompanied by clever lyrics about heaven and its suitability for a down-home countryman. At the center of the album rests a funky, upbeat cover of Tracy Chapman's "Give Me One Reason." More