If It's Too Loud...

Artist : underscores Album : U Quick Thoughts : I remember reading some piece last year about how the hyperpop moment had passed, and I don't know if that's true or not. I do know, however, that underscores didn't get the memo and has provided us with a fully evolved version of it with this album. "The Peace" sets the tone at the outright, and "Do It" could be a radio hit if the stars aligned a certain way. Especially given that BTS is likely to take up a lot of the pop space in the next couple months, it's worth giving this a listen for that reason alone. Songs of Note : "The Peace," "Music," "Lovefield," "Innuendo (I Get U)," "Do It" Artist : Gladie Album : No Need to Be Lonely Quick Thoughts : Augusta Koch, lead singer of Gladie and former lead singer of Cayetana, has quietly become one of the best indie frontwomen in the United States due to her delivery and her lyrical stylings....

November 11 : Artist : Smut Album : How the Light Felt Quick Thoughts : Smut is the sort of comfortable indie rock that I love, where it's not doing anything particularly revolutionary but is still doing what they do better than anyone else in the moment. Don't overlook this listen, there's a lot of great music to love in here. Songs of Note : "Soft Engine," "Believe You Me," "Morningstar" Artist : Delivery Album : Forever Giving Handshakes Quick Thoughts : This album has a lot going for it, and its refusal to conform to any specific genre is a benefit when many acts could treat it as a drawback. This album won me over right away, and will likely win you over, too. Songs of Note : "Poor-to-Middling Moneymaking," "Baader Meinhof," "No Homes," "Good" Artist : A7PHA Album : II Quick Thoughts : I wanted to highlight this because it's great, but also because it reminds me a lot of when Tric...

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...