The Tubs Explore Love and Loss on ‘Cotton Crown’
The Tubs’ Cotton Crown deals with darker themes about love, loss, and failure despite their penchant for sunny jangle pop sounds.
alternative rock
Doves’ ‘Constellations For the Lonely’ Is a Bit Surprising
With Jimi Goodwin sitting out on some tracks, Doves create a familiar mood, even if they do not achieve the same level of greatness.
The Wombats’ Pair Less Polish With More Self Loathing
The Wombats’ Oh! The Ocean struggles with authenticity, balancing earnestness and self-critique, yet hints at untapped artistic potential.
Cryogeyser’s Memorable Heartbreak-Inspired Level-Up
Alternative rock’s Cryogeyser pour everything they have into this compelling, 1990s-influenced song cycle.
40 Years of the Cure’s First True Surrealist Pop Album
Forty-year-old The Head on the Door propelled the Cure toward arena stature with its musical cohesion and a collection of hallucinatory yet accessible songs.
Horsegirl Discover Their Identity on Superb New Album
With Phonetics On and On, Horsegirl move beyond their influences, carving out a distinct identity shaped through time and life experience.
Remembering For Against’s Brilliant Post-Punk Classic
Coalesced is For Against’s masterpiece, creating cinematic sonic spaces to function as containers for insular expressions of self-doubt, regret, and victory.
Death By Unga Bunga Boldly Fuse Power Pop and Garage Rock
Death by Unga Bunga’s Raw Muscular Power is a wild, humorous blend of power-pop and garage rock, tackling existential crises with infectious energy.
Bartees Strange Remains Shockingly Great on ‘Horror’
Fear may have inspired Bartees Strange’s new LP, but the songs on Horror are some of his best to date. He is one of the key artists of this decade.
Bloc Party Discovered Lightning in a Bottle 20 Years Ago
Bloc Party’s first and best record, championed by Franz Ferdinand, still captivates with its youthful energy, political commentary, and emotional center.
Franz Ferdinand Frustrate and Dazzle With ‘The Human Fear’
Franz Ferdinand dazzle and frustrate with The Human Fear, their return to the recording studio after a seven-year hiatus. It’s a patchy album with brilliance.
Aimee Mann Launched Brilliant Second Act with ‘Bachelor No. 2’
Aimee Mann is a survivor, wizened by experience but willing to keep going with a bit of hope, and Bachelor No. 2 is the peak of her powers.