Amoeba Music

All these years later, X still sounds uniquely raucous, cool, and on the razor's edge. The legendary punk band's ninth studio album, Smoke & Fiction , feels like it could've come straight from the band's '80s heyday, while still feeling modern, urgent, and unlike anyone else. The songs are driving, intense, and compelling with that familiar punk meets surf meets country that equates to X's version of LA Noir. Out on Fat Possum, the band says Smoke & Fiction is their final album and as X looks back on the heady days of their youth, it feels like a fitting (and fantastic) final chapter. More

It’s been 4 long years since post-hardcore heroes Touché Amoré have dropped an album, but that comes to an end with Spiral In A Straight Line . With super producer Ross Robinson returning at the helm, both the band and producer deftly channel their personal turmoil and struggles during the creation of Spiral into a sonic therapy session of emotion. Spiral also features appearances by indie luminaries Lou Barlow on “Subversion (Brand New Love)”, and Julien Baker on the closing track, “Goodbye For Now.” More

The Bad Plus have returned with their 16th studio album, featuring new members Ben Monder on guitar and Chris Speed on saxophone. Their avant-garde instrumental compositions continue to thrill, as evidenced by the lovely album opener “Grid/Ocean” and the stirring “French Horns.” The crossover appeal of these dynamic tracks makes it easy to see why the group is acclaimed by rock critics as well as jazz and classical. More

Tears for Fears are back with both new and live music on Songs for a Nervous Planet . The English duo kick off the album with 4 brand new studio tracks. The rest of the double album is a live recording of a career-spanning set recorded in Franklin, TN on their 2023 Tipping Point Tour. Featuring both newer numbers and smash hits like "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" and "Shout," this is a must-have for any Tears For Fears fan. More

Focused, subtle, honest and beautiful. This album is clearly personal and sounds like a mature culmination of all that Sufjan Stevens has been toying with up to this point. It’s consistent with itself and a powerful listen. More

This vinyl reissue of the 1987 debut album by the late Irish singer/songwriter, featuring the original European cover photo, is a welcome treat for fans. The Lion and The Cobra introduced the world to O’Connor’s distinctive, powerful voice and vulnerable lyrics. Punctuated by swelling strings, “Troy” is a stirring, melancholy gem, while “I Want Your (Hands On Me)” is funky ‘80s pop perfection. “Mandinka” is another highlight with its ultra-catchy chorus and infectious vocal wails. More

Rough & Ready hits the spot. South Londoner Ruthven knows his musical history, creating an ultra fresh blend of classic funk, '70s R&B and Prince-inspired rock 'n' roll that's beguiling, vivid, and life-affirming. The songs are seductive and lush, the type of tracks that make every moment spent listening feel more alive. This sparkling, soaring record is a testament to Ruthven's latent star power. A future classic. More

Minnesota alt-rockers Remo Drive downshift and choose a slightly different path on Mercy . Showcasing a more restrained, stripped bare and melancholy sound, the edginess of previous albums is set aside for a Weezer-ey alt-pop sound. The mood on Mercy has plenty of peaks and valleys - the bouncy "No, There's No Hope for You" is a contrast to the slow bluesy waltziness of "All You'll Ever Catch" and "Hold You." More

The legendary Pixies are back with another excellent and intriguing new LP. The Night the Zombies Came is as imaginative and unexpected as its goofy title. The tracks incorporate a number of genre flourishes into the band's edgy, electrifying rock 'n' roll sound. Traces of beguiling British folk, moody murder ballads, gospel-like choruses, relentless punk rock, and twangy Spaghetti Western imbue the album with a scintillating darkness that will keep listeners on the edge of their seats. This is an album you won't be able to get enough of. More

Indian rock band Peter Cat Recording Co. deliver the psych rock goods on their new album BETA . Brimming with ‘60s and ‘70s grooves, these melodic tracks are helmed by Suryakant Sawhney’s smooth vocals, and tinged with bossa nova, psychedelia, and Indian folk pop. The opening track, “Flowers R. Blooming,” is a whimsical, experimental mashup of sounds, while “Foolmuse” could be a loungier Arctic Monkeys tune. Elsewhere, “Black and White” incorporates an unexpected disco beat on this eclectic, absorbing album. More

The latest from Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds is as ecstatic, strange, and questing as life itself. Wild God runs the gamut from the rollicking and picaresque to the poignant and extraordinary. The album feels radical in its belief in beauty and transcendence after the darkest nights; the power of the band's earlier excursions into the murk and the mire still rumbles beneath these compositions, even as they showcase the surprising twists and turns of our time here on this mortal coil. Cave has said that "joy" was considered as a title for this album and while the phrase "Wild God" packs in more of the mystery and awe of the experience, joy is certainly an appropriate descriptor of the way you'll feel while listening. More

The fifth studio album from the metalcore favorites revels in gut-punching tracks filled with brutal, downtuned guitars and throat-ripping vocals. “Darwinism” is a crunchy headbanger with blunt, angry lyrics while “Supreme Ruler” is a short but sweet, apocalyptic blast with a few brief words about death. “Mud” stands out for its dronier rhythm and dramatic pauses, but otherwise Kublai Khan stick to what they do best, which is going straight for the jugular. More

Kamasi Washington's Fearless Movement is absolutely sensational. Washington continues to cement his status as one of our greatest living jazz artists, despite his breakthrough album, The Epic , coming out under ten years ago. These tracks are fiercely alive, experimental, and full throttle. Guests include George Clinton, Thundercat, Taj Austin, Ras Austin, Patrice Quinn, DJ Battlecat, Brandon Coleman, D-Smoke, Bj the Chicago Kid, and Andre 3000. A triumphant album, sometimes celestial and twinkling, other times raucous and rooted. More

Hailed by the Canadian duo as their final album, Fate & Alcohol sees them departing on a high note, leaving fans with a solid set of their nostalgic classic rock-inspired sound. “Chicago” rides high on a characteristically anthemic chorus and “Fugitive Summer” revives the buzzing energy the band is traditionally known for. It’s a new classic for the duo’s diehard fans. More

Following the massive worldwide success of "Jump Around" on their self-titled debut (aka Fine Malt Lyrics ), Irish hip-hop stars House of Pain returned in 1994 with Same As It Ever Was . The sophomore album may lack a chart-topping hit like their previous album, but with bangers like "On Point" and "Runnin Up On Ya," they really hit their stride and the influence of the Soul Assassins crew is evident. Celebrate 30 years of a hidden hip-hop gem with this yellow vinyl reissue with a green 7" single. More

Guster are back with their first album in five years. Ooh La La is easy, breezy, and dreamy. These tender, lovely songs evoke a nostalgic mood without casting the usual shadows of wistfulness that so often haunt looks back at the past. Ooh La La is one of those albums for all seasons, for both sunny, warm summer days when life is good and for icy, wintry nights when you long for warmth. Guster does what they do best with these songs celebrating the everyday moments of love and beauty that make up a life. More

You might read the title Sadness Sets Me Free and think "No way. Sadness is just sadness." But trust Gruff Rhys: through these sweeping chronicles of disappointment, existential malaise, pain, and being a bad friend, the Welsh rocker traces an undercurrent of hope, care, and revival. The arrangements are lovely and romantic, with easy-going rhythms, swooning strings, and a sort of 1960s meets 2024 vibe. Whether you're feeling down or just enjoy a finely crafted song, Sadness Sets Me Free will help you find the beauty in even the darkest moments. More

Below the Waste is the eclectic, arresting third album from London trio Goat Girl. In writing this album, the band found themselves striving for a greater authenticity in relationships, to find the truth beneath the facades. That sense of searching and vulnerability underlies each of these prismatic, gorgeous songs, whether the band is going angsty and indie on "ride around" or downbeat and dreamy on "motorway." The songs run the gamut from gritty rock 'n' roll to enveloping synth-led motorik to wistful folk. Below the Waste is exquisite and deeply moving. More

Fabiana Palladino's self-titled debut is a lush, bold affair. The London-based musician traffics in the epic soundscapes, grand emotions, and irresistible choruses of '80s R&B and pop. The production is glossy and glittering, the feelings raw, relatable, and very real. Palladino emerges on this debut as a force of nature, a name to watch. Heartbreak never sounded so good. More

Eyedress, the Nom d'artiste of Filipino musician Idris Ennolandy Vicuña returns with his third album, Let's Skip To the Wedding . His first album after relocating to Los Angeles features the TikTok hits "Romantic Lover" and the Joy-Division-inspired "Jealous." Eyedress layers jangly guitars and stream-of-consciousness lyrics, creating a fusion of brooding indie rock and moody bedroom synthpop. In a perfect balance, Let's Skip to the Wedding at times sounds polished and well-produced, and at others resembles a homemade demo recording. More