Essential Full-Length Releases
 Santigold - 99¢ It took awhile, but I've finally started thinking of Santigold as Santigold, as opposed to her former stage name Santogold (though it still pisses me off that she had to change it). 99¢ is the artist's third album, and on it she explores the commercialization of music; hence the album's title and artwork. It's another absolute banger of an album from an artist who's perfected her style! Watch: "Chasing Shadows" Watch: "Who Be Lovin’ Me" (featuring iLoveMakonnen) |
 Sarah Neufeld - The Ridge Since contributing to Arcade Fire's Reflektor in 2013, Neufeld has gone all in on her solo career. She released her debut, Hero Brother, that same year, a collaborative album with Colin Stetson, Never Were the Way She Was, last year, and now her second solo record. In the past, her work as a solo artist has been purely instrumental, but this album is her first foray into incorporating vocals. Watch: "We've Got a Lot" Listen: "Where the Light Comes In" |
 School of Seven Bells - SVIIB Some bands come to an end so its members can focus on other projects, others come by it acrimoniously. Only rarely is it pure unfortunate circumstance. This band became a twosome after the departure of one founding member left in 2010. Three years ago, one of those two members, Benjamin Curtis, passed away from T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma. Work was mostly completed on the record before Curtis' passing. Their likely last record may also be their best. Watch: "Open Your Eyes" Watch: "On My Heart" |
 Yuck - Stranger Things With this third record, Yuck has released more music without their founding frontman, Daniel Blumberg, than with him. The band had drifted into a shoegaze-influenced sound on their previous album and EP, but were looking back to a 90s indie rock-tinged (think Dinosaur Jr., Built to Spill) sound they were noted for on their debut. They're still trying to find their footing without Blumberg, but garnered immense praise for some of the tracks from this record. Listen: "Hearts in Motion" Listen: "Hold Me Closer" |
Other Full-Length Releases
 Bullion - Loop the Loop Listen: "Loop the Loop" (featuring Sampha) Listen: "Never Is the Change" |
 Death Index - Death Index Watch: "FUP" Watch: "Little ’N’ Pretty" |
 Glenn Kotche - Drumkit Quartets Listen: "No. 54" Listen: "No. 50" |
 Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - This Unruly Mess I’ve Made Watch: "Downtown" Watch: "Kevin" (featuring Leon Bridges) |
 Willie Nelson - Summertime: Willie Nelson Sings Gershwin Watch: "Summertime" Watch: "Someone to Watch Over Me" |
Singles, EPs, Soundtracks, etc.
 Charli XCX - Vroom Vroom EP Listen: "Trophy" Listen: "Paradise" (featuring Hannah Diamond) |
 George Fest: A Night to Celebrate the Music of George Harrison Watch: "Handle with Care" Listen: "Here Comes the Sun" |
 God Don’t Never Change: The Songs of Blind Willie Johnson Listen: Tom Waits - "John the Revelator" |
 Michael Jackson - Off the Wall Reissue Watch: "Rock with You" Watch: "Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough" |
 Mr. Dan - "Firewater" Listen: "Firewater" |
