First Listen: New Releases for 27 January

Artist : Pure Adult Album : II Quick Thoughts : I shouldn't like Pure Adult, but I like Pure Adult. II is a loud, brash affair that almost outright revels in dischord, but then you get songs like "Hot Crusade" that wow you over and over and over again. It's the most challenging listen of the week, but also the most rewarding - reminiscent of Tropical Fuck Storm and Future of the Left in all the right ways. Songs of Note : "Hot Crusade," "The Power of Incredible Violence, Pt. III," "Etcetera, Etc." Artist : Widows Gold Album : Love Drops Quick Thoughts : Widows Gold isn't trying to reinvent the alt-rock wheel with Love Drops , and that's what makes it awesome. It's a great alt-indie record that feels fresh and, at only eight tracks, doesn't feel overlong, either. In terms of the indie and alt rock stuff we love here, this one is absolutely an early year favorite. Songs of Note : "Inside," "Little ...