If It's Too Loud...

Artist : Rain on Fridays Album : Death to Affection Quick Thoughts : This came out of nowhere and blew my socks off. It's indie alt/punk, sometimes on the screamy side, but the angst and noise comes across so well and in such a great, fun way that I didn't expect. "Banshee" is a true highlight, but the whole album is not only one of the best of the week, but perhaps one of the best of the year. Songs of Note : "Phonophobia," "We Are So Alike," "Banshee," "Clusterfuck," "Knock Out" Artist : Tyler, The Creator Album : CHROMAKOPIA Quick Thoughts : Tyler, The Creator doesn't always work for me. The sort of doomy dark rap isn't always my thing, but people genuinely love this guy. CHROMAKOPIA makes it make sense for me - it has mood vibes similar to My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy , but with some of the sonic stretches we've seen from more recent Childish Gambino records. I love this album, and if...

Artist : Soccer Mommy Album : Sometimes, Forever Quick Thoughts : Soccer Mommy continues to get better with every release she puts out. The fidelity is higher, but the songwriting is such a significant step forward that this demands attention. I love love love this album and I'm definitely looking forward to getting back to it. Songs of Note : "Bones," "With U," "Shotgun," "Don't Ask Me," "Fire in the Driveway," "Feel It All the Time" Artist : Boy Jr. Album : Pay Attention to Meee Quick Thoughts : Boy Jr. has, somewhat suddenly, started killing it on TikTok, and while those words might be incomprehensible to a lot of our readers, it's a big deal. Her previous EP, Starter Pack , has a few of my favorites from her, but this album shows that she's capable of a lot of interesting songwriting. "Meet Me In the Middle" in particular highlights her unique songwriting abilities in perhaps the best w...

Artist : Limbo Album : Mixed Feelings Quick Description : Lovely little indie electronic stuff. Why You Should Listen : Limbo is really unlike anyone else right now. Overall Thoughts : I’m a recent Limbo convert, having found this cat-masked producer thanks to “Airplane Mode” and falling in love with the whole thing. The new album is somehow better than her already great stuff, and I’ve wanted to get back to it perhaps more than I have for much else as of late. If you don’t mind some poppy electronic action, this is for you. Recommendation : A favorite this week. Artist : Sierra Hull Album : 25 Trips Quick Description : The superlative bluegrass virtuoso back with a great album. Why You Should Listen : Sierra Hull is amazing. You should already know this. Overall Thoughts : Maybe her most mature sounding record to date, this is bluegrass and roots music that is simply so much further along than most of what’s out there. What Hull does has always been special, but this...

It got way too busy, so here's some quick hits. Must Listens : Lucy Dacus - Historian : Believe the hype. This is not only the best album of this week, but maybe of 2018 so far. It's a brilliant record that combines the best of Margaret Glaspy, Sharon Von Etten, and a ton of our favorite singer-songwriters lately to bring a raw, compelling album that just sticks to your guts. I loved it on first listen, and I put it back on earlier today because I wanted to and it just has so many great layers. Don't miss out on this. Tracey Thorn - Record : If I’m being honest with myself, I’ve liked but haven’t loved Thorn’s solo work. That changed considerably with this latest effort, which feels more essential and urgent than anything she has put out since her Everything But the Girl days. I’d expect things to not be this way given Thorn’s lengthy career up to now, but there are just so many songs on this record that are rock solid. If you’ve jumped off the bandwagon, now i...