This Month's Picks

The Land Is Inhospitable & So Are We (CD)

Mitski
Mitski's The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We is simply stunning. Opener "Bug Like an Angel" finds power and transcendence in spite of deep pain, with unforgettable lyrics about dead bugs looking like angels and broken promises that break you in return. "Heaven" feels like just that: opening with a gentle country twang, it's one of those magical songs that perfectly encapsulates a moment that's inexpressible in mere words. "Star" has a lullaby-like comfort, conveying solace and hope in spite of all the costs of living and loving. This is one of Mitski's best, an album as grand and sweeping and deeply romantic as the experience of life itself. More
Genre: Rock

Javelin (CD)

Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens's Javelin is a beautiful heartbreaker. These tracks feel like some of his deepest, most vulnerable, devastating work, yet this album is no downer. Buoyed quite literally by the lovely backing vocals of his five-part vocal choir of friends (adrienne maree brown, Hannah Cohen, Pauline Delassus, Megan Lui, and Nedelle Torrisi), the tracks embody the incredible human ability to reach up from the gutter, towards the stars. Javelin is a soft-voiced companion for tough times, gifted with a sense of the sacred and sublime. More
Genre: Rock

Everything Will Change (CD)

The Postal Service
Wrap your head around this: in honor of the twentieth anniversary of their now iconic album Give Up , the Postal Service are releasing Everything Will Change , a live concert recording of the band's 2013 tour in honor of the original tenth anniversary of Give Up . One thing that's not complicated, however, about Everything Will Change is just how good it feels to hear this excellent live band once more performing tracks like Such Great Heights,” “The District Sleeps Alone Tonight,” “Sleeping In,” and “Natural Anthem." As an added bonus, the album includes a cover of “Our Secret” by Beat Happening and a live version of Dntel’s “(This Is) The Dream of Evan and Chan,” both recorded at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, CA a decade ago. Fans will find much to love in this walk down memory lane: the tracks still sound as fresh and moving as ever and the recording captures the electricity of the live set. More
Genre: Rock

Michael (CD)

Killer Mike
Michael is Killer Mike's first solo album in over a decade and it's a heavy-hitter. It's an autobiography of sorts, with lyrics inspired by Killer Mike's coming-of-age experiences and his family history. The production is always on-point, lush and lovely, with influences from gospel to classic soul. This is Killer Mike at his rawest, whether he's boasting or looking back with regret. Featuring appearances from CeeLo Green, Ty Dolla Sign, Mozzy, Young Thug, 6lack, Eryn Allen Kane, Jagged Edge, Future, Currensy, 2 Chainz, Kaash Paige, Blxst, Fabo, El-P and André 3000, Michael is an origin story, a star-studded affair, and a welcome return for a singular artist. More
Genre: Hip Hop

GUTS (CD)

Olivia Rodrigo
GUTS is an excellent spotlight for Olivia Rodrigo's ability to write gut-punching, left-of-center pop with ultra relatable lyrics. "Vampire" is an emotionally devastating breakup anthem that feels sing-a-long (or sob-a-long) ready. "bad idea right?" is a wry, clever, totally catchy chronicle of lying to yourself about a bad idea ex. Never has feeling bad felt so good to listen to. Rodrigo is one of the best young songwriters on the scene and GUTS is a masterpiece. More
Genre: Rock

Capricorn (CD)

Eddie 9V
Taking its name from the infamous Georgia recording studio, Capricorn is a big step in the evolution of Atlanta bluesman Eddie 9V. Whether it’s the N’awlins funk of lead single “Yella Alligator” or the simmering ‘70s soul of “Are We Through” or “How Long,” Eddie 9V spreads his wings and flies across the genres and decades on Capricorn . More
Genre: Blues