Amoeba Music

For fans, the reissue of Heatmiser's Mic City Sons is a holy grail moment. The cult favorite, gone-too-soon '90s indie rock act sounds better than ever on this special (nearly) 30th anniversary edition. Remastered, with a bounty of unreleased tracks and demos, the album is vital, electric, and inviting. Blending indie rock with Britpop, Mic City Sons showcased the band at its very best, injecting more pop-friendly elements into its sound to create an album that feels like an old friend. More

Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist join forces once more for Alfredo 2 . The original Alfredo , released back in 2020, garnered a Grammy nomination so anticipation is high for the latest savvy and stylish outing from the duo. The good news: Alfredo 2 is just as hot. Guest appearances from Anderson .Paak, Larry June, and JID add to the smart lyrical flows and sizzling production. A must-hear and a late contender for album of the summer. More

The Dirty Nil are pure rock 'n' roll. Their fifth album, The Lash , finds the band leaning into medieval-inspired imagery while churning out a headbangin' blend of power pop, punk, and hard rock. The lyrics range from the tongue-in-cheek ("Rock N' Roll Band," an account of joining a band for internet fame while making your loved ones worry) to the brutal and imaginative ("Gallop of the Hounds," a revenge track that sounds like it would fit into a horror movie). With pounding percussion, intense yet melodic choruses, and searing riffs, The Lash is a raucous good time. More

The original Alice Cooper band is back with their first album in fifty years. Yes, that's right. Not since 1973's Muscle of Love have the surviving members of the revolutionary rock 'n' roll band gotten together to write and record new material. The Revenge of Alice Cooper is a welcome return. With scorching guitars, relentless percussion, and defiantly cool lyrics, the album delivers everything you loved about the groundbreaking band. Turn this one up loud, roll down your windows, and enjoy a blast of metal mayhem. More

British folk-pop artist Billie Marten has released her fifth studio album, Dog Eared , chock full of summertime vibes and nostalgia for childhood. The mellow set features guest turns by artists like indie darling Sam Evian, Catalan singer/songwriter Núria Graham, and folk musician Maia Friedman (formerly of Dirty Projectors). "Feeling" is jangly and breezy, and "Clover" offers dreamy, wistful musings. "Swing" stands out for its livelier arrangement and singalong "ooooh's" in the chorus. This is a gentle set for quiet mornings over cups of coffee. More

Colin Hay presents a detailed retrospective of his career on the eclectic, wry, and entertaining Man at Work Volume 2 . The album is a sequel to his best-selling early '00s Man at Work album and includes new songs, highlights from his solo albums, and classic tracks from his essential '80s group Men at Work. From the very first track, “Into My Life,” featuring Gregg Bissonette (Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band) and Cecilia Noël, it's a wonderful showcase of Hay's skilled storytelling, ear for an infectious hook, and warm voice. On "Blue for You," he presents a reggae-tinged version of a 1983 Men at Work track, which is a pure joy. And there are even more standout moments to come as the album rolls along. An enjoyable celebration of an iconic artist, fans will be glad Volume 2 is here two decades after the first album hit stores. More

The latest from Bush is a melancholic delight. I Beat Loneliness combines '90s alt rock, grunge, and metal sounds; it's an evolution for the storied band that keeps things fresh and compelling. Gavin Rossdale's voice is filled with raw power and urgency as he takes on themes of loss, release, and finding a way to move forward. The drums are relentless, the guitar-driven melodies potent and moody. Longtime fans of the band will relish this album, which ranks among the band's best works...and with songs this emotionally affecting and catchy, new fans should come running, too. More

Crucial Cuts From The Heart of the Ark (1973-1978) is a new compilation of music recorded by the legendary reggae artist and producer Lee "Scratch" Perry at his backyard studio, Black Ark. These five years highlight the full range of his revolutionary, experimental techniques in dub production. The collection is studded with gems like Junior Murvin’s classic “Police & Thieves,” Perry and The Congo's mesmerizing “Fisherman Dub," The Heptones’ effervescent “Sufferer’s Time,” and much more. Crucial Cuts celebrates a pivotal period of creativity in reggae and in music in general, as Perry's groundbreaking production has influenced artists across genres. It's a must-have collection. More

Wet Leg has done it again. The critically-acclaimed Isle of Wight five-piece is back with a splendid sophomore album, moisturizer . On this smart and fearless album, the band tackles themes of obsession and all-consuming love. "CPR" is a droll punk track with new wave elements. "catch these fists" moves from understated, simmering verses to full-on dance punk choruses. "davina mccall" is a deceptively easygoing, lovely indie rock love song. This is probably one of the best albums you'll hear this year, effortlessly capturing that sense of being in love (and sometimes being totally underwater because of it). More

Ekkstacy's exceptional Forever is a dreamy, wistful genre-bending album. The majority of songs clock in at under 3 minutes, endowing the album with a sort of experimental punk spirit. Rather than being rough and rowdy, however, the music is downbeat and hazy, blending elements of post-punk, indie rock, '80s college rock, and even emo rap. There's the occasional fierce guitar riff, with the sound leaning into a beautifully melancholic, languorous direction. Forever captures the odd pleasure of feeling downhearted. More

Barry Can't Swim's Loner feels poised to become one of the biggest electronic releases of the year. Out on Ninja Tune, it's an eclectic, euphoric journey through dance genres. Acid, 2-step, gospel, jazz, and Balearic beats add dimension to these intelligent and addictive dance songs. Highlights include the yearning throwback soul vocals on "Cars Pass By Like Childhood Sweethearts," the glitchy hyperpop of "Still Riding," the unmitigated joy of "Kimpton," and the mournful gospel sounds of "All My Friends." Loner is a beautiful, blissed-out album that is absolutely essential listening for our troubled times. More

Kesha's thrill-a-minute maximalist music style sounds hotter and more addictive than ever on her latest. .period is almost impossible to describe. it's hyper-pop yet somehow...even more hyper than hyper-pop. It's glossy, dynamic, whip-smart, and sugar-sweet. You want country-rap Kesha? She's here. You want disco-tinged electro-pop with an accordion motif Kesha? Also here. This album is loud, splashy, deeply fun, and a breath of fresh air. Basically, it's fantastic. More

Rival Consoles returns with one of his most moving and atmospheric releases to date. Many of the songs on Landscape From Memory began life as a series of forgotten, discarded audio fragments that the British producer fleshed out and brought to wonderful, glistening life — a workaround to the debilitating creative block Ryan Lee West dealt with for one agonizing year. The glitchy electronics and warm washes of sound in these electronic compositions instantly evoke sensations of hope, despair, pain, and ecstasy over the course of the album's runtime. These songs feel like a celebration of the human experience, of challenges met, of imaginative solutions to seemingly impossible problems. It's a work of sheer beauty. More

Yes, that's right. ODESZA and the Apple TV series Severance teamed up to create one of the year's most enjoyable electronic releases about one of history's most unenjoyable workplaces. Music To Refine To: A Remix Companion To Severance works ridiculously well. You'll notice the familiar elements of Theodore Shapiro's score for the show...then ODESZA spins them out into gripping, danceable, beautifully multilayered new directions. Perhaps if management had piped in this remix album rather than resorting to waffle parties, the crew at Lumon might've felt a bit more delight in the day-to-day. More

Hotline TNT's Raspberry Moon is a hook-filled, gritty, easy-to-love rock 'n' roll album. The band writes songs that feel like the perfect fusion of indie rock, power pop, and shoegaze. Raspberry Moon is rock music at its finest: emotive, searing, and shimmering, the type of songs that'll make you happy to be alive. Powerful and dynamic, these fuzzed out tracks will sweep you off your feet. Get lost in Hotline TNT's dreamy, hazy, distorted guitar paradise...you'll be glad you did. More

Legendary Zambian rock band Witch return with a fiery, fantastic new album, SOGOLO . It's the group's second 2020s era release after a series of reissues of their original '70s and '80s records ten years ago. Rousing opener "Kamusale," with its heavy metal guitars and urgent vocals, is earthshaking and body-moving. "Nadi" is woozy and bewitching, an intriguing blend of psych rock and distorted electro vocals. "Queenless King" is upbeat and electrifying, with '60s style organ and swirling guitars. SOGOLO is imaginative and exciting, an album that'll remind you of the incredible power of music. More

Van Morrison returns to original songs after a run of cover songs and reinterpretations of his own work. Remembering Now feels like classic Van Morrison: his voice is powerful and velveteen, the melodies ably blending folk with rhythm and blues into a feel-good, soulful sound. Highlights include "Down to Joy," a jubilant, moving track originally heard in Kenneth Branagh's 2021 film Belfast ...and it's just one of many delights on this fantastic outing. More

Ruby Friedman makes music for a more romantic, sepia-toned time. Her latest, Chimes After Midnight , is transportive, melancholic, and lovely. She's a rare talent, working in a genre space that sets her apart. Friedman's voice is smoky and melancholic, the voice of a 1920s chanteuse who's seen it all. Her songs tell tales of forgotten women...those who've been pushed aside, silenced, or simply lost to history. The hauntingly beautiful Chimes After Midnight will stay with you. More

Little Simz is one of the freshest voices coming out of UK rap. Lotus is jam-packed with earworms, from the propulsive and brooding "Flood" to the grime-influenced, rather goofy "Young." It's a smart, entertaining, occasionally intense, and thoroughly enjoyable album with guest appearances from Sampha, Moonchild Sanelly, Lydia Kitto, Moses Sumney, Miraa May, Yukimi Nagano, Wretch 32, Cashh, Michael Kiwanuka, Yussef Dayes, and Obongjayar. An album informed by experimentation, evolution, and transformation, Lotus is a must hear. More

Tyreek McDole puts a contemporary spin on classic jazz with his soulful, vibrant debut, Open Up Your Senses . McDole's baritone won the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition two years ago; in the contest's twelve year history, he's one of only two male vocalists to do so. Listen and you'll understand why. The album swings, bringing a modern sensibility to jazz tradition with interpretations of legendary tracks by Thelonious Monk, Horace Silver, Ella Fitzgerald, and Louis Armstrong, plus a hypnotic take on the traditional Haitian chant “Wongolo Wale." A mood-setting, invigorating album by a name to watch. More