Amoeba Music

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

SPELLLING returns with her fourth studio album, the propulsive, dynamic Portrait of My Heart . Chrystia Cabral's unique avant-pop tunes stand out for her emotional vocals and powerful orchestration. She moves from minimalist synth-pop to melodic alt-rock with elements of prog, forging her own intriguing path. The title track pulls the listener in with its strong drum beat, busy bassline, and anthemic vocal on the chorus. "Alibi" is an infectious rocker with dynamic synth flourishes and "Destiny Arrives" is a throwback to lush '80s pop/rock - cinematic, soulful, and dramatic. More

CocoRosie have been putting out their own distinctive folk-pop fusion for almost twenty years now, creating a legacy of enigmatic, fascinating music. Their eighth album, Little Death Wishes , pays tribute to the complicated lives of women, the struggles of being human, the pains of heartbreak, and more. The sisters' trebly voices chant over electronic beats, flurries of synths, and jangly instrumentation, creating a decidedly leftfield soundscape. "Girl In Town," featuring a guest vocal by Chance the Rapper, stands out as an upbeat, groovy tune with a slightly tropical vibe. More

Sentient is a welcome new retrospective by the legendary Carlos Santana. The album features remastered highlights from the multi-Grammy-winning guitarist's career, such as his collaborations with Michael Jackson (the sultry "Whatever Happens") and Miles Davis & Paolo Rustichelli (the mesmerizing "Get On"). Also included are previously unreleased tracks like a duet titled "Coherence" with Cindy Blackman Santana and an alternate take of "Please Don't Take Your Love" with Smokey Robinson. Put this one on and soak in the legacy of this timeless artist. More

Australian R&B group Chase Atlantic has dropped their fourth studio album Lost In Heaven , featuring strong hooks and heavy trap influences. In contrast to the album title, the lyrics dwell heavily on loneliness, disappointment, and substance abuse, lending a sense of melancholy even to catchy tracks like "Ricochet." "Disconnected" is appropriately spacey with elements of euphoric trance, yet the lyrics are a grim takedown of depression, drugs, and life on tour. Fans will relate to the strong emotions here and vibe to the hypnotic beats. More

Jazz fusion quintet Butcher Brown returns with new album, Letters From The Atlantic , spotlighting many talented female vocalists. That roster features Yaya Bey, Leanor Wolf, Mia Gladstone, Melanie Charles, and Victoria Victoria. "Unwind" feat. Melanie Charles is hypnotic, soulful, and slinky with a foot-tapping beat and fluttering flutes. "Montrose Forest" features Grammy Award-winning trumpet player Nicholas Payton and it's another strong track, an instrumental with a throwback, and laidback, '70s funk vibe. Psych-rock and soul artist Neal Francis also makes an appearance on "Something New About You." More

For You is the debut solo release from Little Dragon's Yukimi. It's quite the sonic evolution. Yukimi's voice is instantly recognizable...the melodies branch out into the worlds of jazz, alternative R&B, electronic, and hip-hop. These vibrant, gorgeous compositions serve as an upbeat counterpoint to Yukimi's lyrical focus on love, loss, and the eventual rise and renewal of the spirit after wading through the depths. This is an album for lifting the mood, creating a vibe, and bringing a jolt of color into an ordinary day. For You is a gem. More

The Darkness heard the world was in desperate need of "rock sweet rock," as the band put it. And so they hunkered down, rocked out, and brought us the rollicking, riff-heavy masterpiece that is Dreams on Toast . The band drinks heavily from the overflowing fountains of '70s rock elysium, delivering full-throttle tunes with addictively upbeat choruses, drawing from stadium rock, glam, metal, and even some vintage radio rock. Your toes will tap, your heart will rise, your fist will be unable to resist punching the air. Pure, unadulterated, non-stop fun. More

Sicksense get epic and emotive on Cross Me Twice . Featuring intense riffs, riveting percussion, and the dual voices of Rob the Ripper and Killer-V, the songs are intensely beautiful and punishingly brutal. Killer-V's poison-sweet vocals soar above the mayhem, while Rob the Ripper growls, raps, and leaves it all on the floor. Their dynamic works perfectly for the album's themes: emotional betrayal, manipulation, and ego-driven decisions. Cross Me Twice is nu-metal reborn, inspired by the '00s-era greats, with a modern, urgent feel. More

The new solo album from rock veteran Ricky Warwick is straightforward and heartfelt with catchy melodies and plenty of grit. The Almighty's frontman shows no signs of slowing down or losing that rock n 'roll punch to his voice. "Don't Leave Me In The Dark," which features Lita Ford on guest vocals, is soaked in a satisfyingly anthemic '80s pop/rock atmosphere. Warwick also teams up with Billy Duffy for the fiery "The Hell of Me and You," a healthy blast of classic guitar rock. Elsewhere, "The Crickets Stayed in Clovis" is a jangly pub-stomper sure to live rent-free in your head. More

After 14 years, Alison Krauss has teamed back up with bluegrass and Americana band Union Station for a lovely new album, Arcadia . Few projects capture such a perfect collaboration of talent and sensibilities, so fans will be delighted by this follow-up to the impeccable Paper Airplane. Album opener, "Looks Like The End of The Road," is a true gem - a haunting ballad helmed by Krauss's angelic vocals. Another highlight is "Granite Mills," a melancholy folk song with a gothic vibe, sung by new member Russell Moore of Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out. More