Cocoa Sugar by Young Fathers Young Fathers have never been ones to settle and stay stagnant, which explains why their music defies categorization. Some try to pigeon-hole them within the vast genre alternative hip-hop, but their music infuses elements of pop, trip-hop, Afrobeat, rock, krautrock, and even classical. With each transformation, Alloysious Massaquoi, Kayus Bankole, and Graham Hastings reap new […]

Supergiant by Valley Queen Veteran and established artists dominated the music scene this year. Look at all the “Best Of” or “Favorites” lists, and newcomers barely occupy them. One band, however, was able to crack through this nearly impenetrable wall. It sure helps that Valley Queen‘s debut album, Supergiant, is a contemporary indie-rock classic. The record is highlighted by a […]

Offerings by TYPHOON Typhoon’s Offerings was released in January, and nearly 12 months later, it is still one of the year’s finest records. Musically and lyrically, Offerings carries a heft that very few albums can do without feeling overwhelming. In making the record, Typhoon’s creative source Kyle Morton asked himself, “What does a person become if they don’t know where […]

Twentytwo In Blue by Sunflower Bean In their five years as Sunflower Bean, Julia Cumming (bass), Nick Kivlen (guitars), and Jacob Faber (drums) have earned every accolade and dollar. They’ve been recognized as New York City’s hardest working band, released a rocking debut EP in the rocking Show Me Your Seven Seconds, and reinvigorated the classic rock of The Velvet Underground, Blondie, […]

Throughout his 36-year career, whether through Spacemen 3, J Spaceman, or now Spiritualized, Jason Pierce has developed a reputation as a perfectionist. He only unveils new music when he’s completely satisfied, which could lead to lengthy gaps between albums. The latest void lasted 6 years between 2012’s Sweet Heart Sweet Light and this year’s And Nothing Hurt, which makes his […]

Clean by soccer mommy On her first LP as Soccer Mommy, Nashville singer-songwriter Sophie Allison created a relatable, honest, and fantastic record in Clean. These traits immediately reveal themselves on “Still Clean”, which may set some false expectations as it features just Allison on guitar. After a transition that leads into “Cool”, however, the record gets more dense. Another transition […]

The Pact by SLOTHRUST On their fourth LP, The Pact, Slothrust released what very may well be their best record. Led by human force of nature, vocalist and guitarist Leah Wellbaum, and an incomparable rhythm section of bassist Kyle Bann and drummer Will Gorin, Slothrust created their most diverse album to date. Right from the first track, “Double Down”, anyone […]

I think everyone knows what to expect from a Slaves album – some banging track, with a lot of silliness involved. Acts of Fear and Love is exactly what we’ve come to know and love about the punk-rock duo. The album promo was hilarious with drummer Isaac Holman “quitting” the band to pursue a career in dancing after “Cut and Run” […]

Rhye have released another stellar album this year. There have been many changes from the debut of Woman, Rhye (Mike Milosh) is now collaborating with multiple composers on the latest release as prior member Robin Hannibal left. Rhye also parted ways with Polydor records and has independently released Blood.  It’s also been almost 5 years since we were graced with […]

New Material by Preoccupations And the circle is complete. Any Preoccupations fan will understand what these words mean, as the band’s latest album, New Material, completes a trilogy that began with Viet Cong (when they were known under that name) and continued with 2016’s self-titled album. Like the previous two, New Material is a dark, bleak, and trembling concept album […]

For most of their career, Russian trio Pinkshinyultrablast established themselves as one of shoegaze’s finest outfits. While Slowdive and Ride were on hiatus, they filled the void with the expansive, chiming flair. For their third album, Miserable Miracles, however, the band expand their reach and unveil their most expansive LP to date. Miserable Miracles is more than just a record. […]

C’est La Vie by Phosphorescent Since the release of his breakthrough album, Muchacho, in 2013, the music world anxiously waited to hear what Matthew Houck, the man behind Phosphorescent, would reveal next. He teased something was near, but nothing was shared. Finally this autumn, C’est La Vie was unwrapped. C’est La Vie is a cohesive and effortless album. It is Houck’s solar system, where […]

Whether through their five records or front man Andrew Savage’s foray as a solo artist, Parquet Courts have covered pretty much every ground within the indie-rock spectrum. Their sixth album, Wide Awake!, however, sees the Brooklyn quartet wade through new territory thanks to the deft guidance of Brian Burton – a.k.a. Danger Mouse. There is still plenty of garage-rock and […]

The Future and the Past by Natalie Prass Natalie Prass’ The Future and the Past was an album that was highly anticipated when it was released in June. For us, Natalie Prass represents everything there is to love about music. Her first LP was just as easy to dance to as it was to cry to. Since then, she recorded […]

Hell-On by Neko Case Throughout her career, Neko Case has mesmerized long-time fans with her incredible voice and creative storytelling. At times, she’s like a poet, and another moment she’s the greatest fable writer of the past 40 years, painting vivid stories that include sparrows, foxes, and almighty storms. But since Middle Cyclone, Case started to look a lot more […]

First Flower by Molly Burch It’s tough to follow up an album as captivating as Molly Burch’s debut, Please Be Mine. However, Burch followed it up with yet another masterpiece in First Flower. From her clever lyricism, to the gorgeous instrumentals that can be found throughout the record, Burch created a record that is among the year’s finest. And a […]

For more than three years, Miya Folick has floored music fans and tastemakers with her awe-striking, wide-ranging vocals and poignant and gut-wrenching songwriting. She’s made her growing fan base dance, contemplate the state of the world, and remember their own times of immense vulnerability. She has moved people in ways very few artists have, and the arrival of her debut […]

Be the Cowboy by Mitski Whether it is sitting behind the piano, ratcheting a distorted electric guitar, or scratching a synthesizer, Mitski Miyawaki – or simply Mitski – has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to make personal vulnerability sound bold and, thus, something to not fear. As she showed on Puberty 2, she wore it like a badge of honor, revealing […]

May 10, 2018 is a date that many indie music fans will never forget. It is the day we learned that Frightened Rabbit front man Scott Hutchison said goodbye to the world. Unfortunately, we never got the opportunity to say thank you for being the best friend we needed in our most difficult times. He did, however, leave one last […]

Kingdoms In Colour by Maribou State Chris Davids and Liam Ivory aren’t the ordinary production duo. Sure they’ve taken their Maribou State project to Ibiza and performed in some of the biggest festivals, but they are from the EDM type. Instead, they are cinematic innovators, who create widescreen and expansive soundscapes that are beyond mesmerizing. Their artistry reaches a whole […]