It's all somehow pulled off without coming across as aesthetically erratic.

4eva Is a Mighty Long Time is a mighty long album, at 20 songs and two brief skits, but K.R.I.T. clearly has a lot to say, and he expresses it with vigor and passion on this ambitious work.

The combination of talents involved works in all of their favor, and the result is a short, snappy modern art-punk album that is a worthy addition to each act's already strong catalog.

For a band that has evolved from screamo to such thoughtful artistry, The Canyon is a stunning offering.

Meaning of Life is one of her most satisfying albums: it feels like not just a collection of good tunes, but a statement of purpose.

Beneath its glossy surface, there's not only plenty of melody, but a perverse sense of humor that keeps the record from sounding too smooth and settled.

Face Your Fear ups the ante for Harding, bumping him from promising newcomer to major artist, and if you like good songs played and sung with true conviction, you won't want to sleep on this.

Black Notes from the Deep is a jazz album deeply engaged with classy, 21st century soul, yet it refuses skittering, schizophrenic jumping around. Instead it flows seamlessly; it's smartly, even ingeniously arranged and expertly played and produced. In its sheer quality, it underscores Pine's continuing role as the true boss of British jazz.

Romantic, sophisticated, and rich with vocal prowess, Nat "King" Cole & Me lives up to both Cole and Porter's own immense creative reputations.

Even outside of the film's context, Deacon's score is fascinating, brilliantly showcasing his skill at crafting experimental yet reflective sounds.

The Lonely, The Lonesome & The Gone provides listeners an exceptionally well-rounded portrait of both the mature writer and the iconic singer.

Better then to treat World Wide Funk less like an addition to an immense discography and more like a porta-party.

Cathartic and wrecked, Turn Out the Lights is the type of album that will be uncommonly relatable to some and unbearable to others. For those who are receptive, the songwriter's ferocious authenticity connects in spite of, rather than in concert with, the more dramatic accompaniment here.

If anything, the aptly named LP feels more alive than anything the band has let loose to date, despite having successfully distilled their sound down to its very essence.

Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers specialize in good cheer, and while that means they can sometimes overplay their hand here--"Strangest Christmas Yet" sticks out like a sore thumb, each punch line landing with a thud--their act is ingratiating and so is The Long-Awaited Album.

Throughout it all, A Flame My Love, A Frequency resonates with a healing warmth that is a testament to the remarkable purity of Colleen's music, as well as to the importance of beauty and hope when life is hard.

Working with the Australian wildmen gives Brettin's work an unpredictable nature not found on Mild High Club albums. This mutual benefaction means Sketches of Brunswick East is a collaboration that works wonders for both sides and will also make fans of both groups very happy.

With engaging basslines that act as the hooks and the glue to Maus' carefully contrived sound, Screen Memories succeeds by basking in its murky splendor.

It is highly electrifying, however, and ranks among the enigmatic, boundlessly exuberant vocalist's most joyous work.

The performances are vibrant and full of personality, heartbreak, and spirit.

It's indie pop with a purpose, full of drama and intention, great songs, and breathtaking performances that put other bands mining similar territory on notice.

With Reaching for Indigo, Fohr has done a remarkable job at translating a hard-to-define, life-changing event into powerful music.

One Directioners will no doubt relish every moment of Flicker, but for casual fans potentially wary of the boy band stigma, they can rest assured knowing that Horan has taken a big first step into musical maturity, with his own voice and deep well of emotion.

If you liked what transpired on Land of Plenty, you'll love the swirling complexity and good-time vibes of SpiderBeetleBee.

Ultimately, this is a soundtrack for an era of discovery that reflects the powerful desire of a generation striving to claim an identity of its own.

The record may be a step below his best work with the Strands and Shack, but it's not far off and the album is a wonderful slice of modern guitar pop songcraft.

Nothing is as volcanic as "Bank Head" or as rush-inducing as "Rewind"--two past gems--but these hyperballads and zero-gravity jams always stimulate, covering a broader spectrum of emotional states with deeper resonance.

HEAVN was expanded and reissued a year later by Jagjaguwar, made available on physical formats with a track list that added six interludes and a thick reprise of "Holy." The interludes, especially the one in which children recite an Assata Shakur quote--inserted as a brilliant setup for "Blk Grl Soldier"--are not extraneous.