8/10
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Alabama Shakes drop a sophomore record that’s an improvement on all fronts.
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The latest Mountain Goats LP is an exciting and emotional head-first dive into the world of pro wrestling.
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Scotland’s Young Father’s change direction, and head into lo-fi pop territory on this creative new album of theirs.
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Up-and-coming producer Clarence Clarity take a uniquely dense and cacophonous approach to pop and R&B on his hour-long debut.
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Leviathan comes through with what’s surely to be one of the most dense, grand, experimental, and hellish black metal albums this year. I’m also talkin’ this album out with Dead End Hip Hop’s Myke C-Town.
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Former Bomb the Music Industry! frontman Jeff Rosenstock releases an explosive and smart solo effort, pulling from pop punk and existential crises for inspiration.
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Toronto rapper Drake unexpectedly and suddenly releases a new project. What his reasoning was is up for debate, but what’s clear is Drake’s sounding more confident than ever on a series of somewhat minimal, dark, moody, trap-inspired pop rap beats with contemporary R&B change-ups.
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New York’s Your Old Droog drops a clever, rock-themed rap EP that’s got my psyched for his next move.
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J. Tillman, aka Father John Misty, comes through with a grand, funny, and gorgeous sophomore release under this recently embraced pseudonym of his.
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Hellfyre Club’s Open Mike Eagle follows his excellent 2014 LP up with a solid EP.