A pristine pop sheen makes ‘Dirty Computer’ Monáe’s most mainstream album to date, without sacrificing her lyrical power and artistic integrity.
Read moreLaura Veirs Triumphs with Exhilarating, Exquisitely Crafted ‘The Lookout’ | Album Review
Every song on Veirs’ new album ‘The Lookout’ is special, tied together by a thoughtful thesis, consummate musicianship, and an unwavering work ethic.
Read moreKylie Minogue Embraces Artistic Growth with Glorious ‘Golden’ | Album Review
For the first time in a long time, here is a Kylie Minogue album that wears its art—and heart—on its sleeve publicly and is the better for it.
Read moreMeshell Ndegeocello Achieves Stirring Sonic Alchemy with Covers Set ‘Ventriloquism’ | Album Review
Photo: Charlie Gross
When Ndegeocello strips the songs back to their core intent, honing in on the message within the lyrics, she manages to elevate them into a new place.
Read moreFirst Aid Kit Craft Sterling, Subdued Suite of Songs with ‘Ruins’ | Album Review
‘Ruins’ may not recapture the intensity of its 2014 precursor ‘Stay Gold,’ but its strength lays in the duo’s swooning vocals and lyrical romance.
Read moreBjörk’s ‘Utopia’ Aims for Transcendence, Achieves It in Abundance | Album Review
In a year that’s brought a political climate and news cycle that degrades, rather than elevates, the universe of Björk’s 'Utopia' is ascendant and cathartic.
Read moreYumi Zouma Hit Their Stride on Wonderful ‘Willowbank’ | Album Review
The follow-up to the band’s acclaimed 2016 debut album ‘Yoncalla,’ ‘Willowbank’ is packed with twee dream pop mature beyond its years.
Read moreShelby Lynne & Allison Moorer Craft Golden Collaboration ‘Not Dark Yet’ | Album Review
The sisters’ next challenge should be to do a whole album of original material, sussing out their songwriting synchronicity.
Read moreLucy Rose’s ‘Something’s Changing’ is Intimate, Inspired and Indispensable | Album Review
An album of undeniable grace and unequivocal beauty, Rose’s third studio affair suggests that something has indeed changed in Lucy Rose.
Read moreSaint Etienne Capture the Soul of England on Brilliant ‘Home Counties’ | Album Review
As their ninth studio LP proves once again, Saint Etienne have always had a way of turning the ordinary into something spectacular.
Read moreSlowdive Resurrect Their Ageless Aesthetic with Incandescent Perfection on 'Eponymous 'Slowdive' | Album Review
Where we’d once accepted Slowdive’s absence as a dismal reality, their revival has rendered us vulnerable again, desperately craving more.
Read moreBlondie Return in Fine, Fun Form with Electrifying Eleventh LP ‘Pollinator’ | Album Review
From the LP's acerbic, wonderfully weird lyrics to its variegated songs, Debbie Harry grounds it all in her idiosyncratic, compelling vocals.
Read moreJuliana Hatfield’s Provocative ‘Pussycat’ a Solid Return to Form | Album Review
Heavy on the sarcasm and heavier on the message of a tense nation, occasionally, Hatfield’s 14th solo album is just downright heavy.
Read moreAimee Mann Navigates Stunning ‘Mental Illness’ with Eloquence & Grace | Album Review
The acclaimed singer-songwriter’s ninth studio album is arguably her finest, most enveloping work since 2000’s ‘Bachelor No. 2.’
Read moreWith ‘A Seat at the Table,’ Solange Crafts a Lighthouse in the Sea of 21st Century Despair | Album Review
Solange Knowles’ third album arrives laden with barely concealed fury and a humanity that embraces rather than divides.
Read moreDe La Soul Deliver Fresh Yet Familiar ‘and the Anonymous Nobody…’ | Album Review
The iconic Strong Island hip-hop vets' new LP proves an often moving return that salutes their longtime fans and demonstrates that their outsider spirit is still intact.
Read moreBritta Phillips Shines on Enchanting Debut Solo LP ‘Luck or Magic’ | Album Review
Contrary to its title, the excellence of Phillips’ debut album derives neither from luck nor magic, but rather from her proven penchant for sublime songcraft.
Read moreLåpsley Navigates the ‘Long Way Home’ on Sublime Debut | Album Review
A stellar first formal step toward what seems destined to be a fruitful future ahead for the multi-dimensionally gifted British singer-songwriter-producer.
Read moreRosie Lowe Shines on Divine Debut ‘Control’ | Album Review
Transcending our already-high expectations, the London-based Lowe’s elegantly crafted first LP is destined to be among 2016’s strongest debut albums.
Read moreLissie Extends Her Golden Streak with Exquisitely Crafted ‘My Wild West’ | Album Review
Fresh from relocating to her native Midwest after 12 years in California, the gifted singer-songwriter's third album finds her in full-on identity recalibration mode.
Read more