Path of Wellness lacks the punch of the groups’ highest points and the more restrained searching style leaves a few of the tracks lacking, but Sleater-Kinney is open to trying anything at this point in their excellent career and continue to craft intriguing songs.

Like Jon Batiste’s recent effort World Music Radio, by trying to reach out to the masses, the spark that makes Lake Street Dive engagingly hard to classify has evolved into its bold shot at populist appeal.

This Dream of You is a solid entry, though surely not the strongest in her storied catalog.

By shaving off their more experimental edges, the group can fall into a few middle-of-the-road soul-pop numbers, such as the dancefloor-ready “Sitting In The Corner”, the hand-clapping one-note “Ooo-Wee”, and the string-laden “Nothing More Lonely”, which all deliver a professional, if tame, Fitz and the Tantrums vibe. The dynamic “Seagulls” is better, mixing keys, clean guitar strums, and a dynamite trumpet solo around the effortless, head-bopping groove and Janeway’s vocals.

Literally, any song on Mint could become another huge hit for Merton, both because they hit on a formula that has worked well in the past and just because they’re that good.

Sultana has crafted a wide-ranging offering on Terra Firma, appealing to different tastes, eras, and styles.

THE BPM is Parks’s riskiest and most rewarding album to date, and proves that the artist can manipulate her tendencies into whichever form she pleases.

The NYC disco-pop outfit delivers a lot of grooving, dance-ready options.

It may take repeated listenings over a period of time—plus no small honestly and self-awareness in a listener–to plumb the depths of introspection this artist (and his main collaborator) is aiming for here. And ultimately, while All the Bright Coins may represent a Rorschach test for those hearing it, the bravery required in that context is no greater than that of its author(s), both of whom deserve commendation for their own patience and perseverance in creating this often dramatic piece of work.

Ali is filled with amazing moments but ultimately leaves more to be desired. With two instrumental juggernauts working together the expectations of these songs were high and the ambiance that flows through the album is going to shock fans of either artist. Regardless of the lows, the collaborative album allows Touré to experiment more with his vocals and his slick guitar sections became the star of the show. Overall, Ali is an album that adds to an ambiance instead of creating one, leaving the listener expecting more.

Kishi Bashi is an artist of many influences and levels, but good things happen when things stay more direct on Kantos, clicking on a disco-based, new wave, funky vibe.

It’d behoove him to engage with an objective third party to help produce the album (a task he assumed here along with his spouse). Based on the slightly erratic nature of Mountains, such an alliance would ensure the versatile skills Nils Lofgren still commands would receive all the attention they deserve and in the proper proportion too.

Though the rest of the album doesn’t meet the same standard as its closing track, Daylight is a solid pop album with no bad songs and a few brilliant moments.

There is no doubt that Little Rope is much more successful than those recent efforts [2019's The Center Won't Hold and 2021's Path of Wellness], but it never fully pushes the artists in new directions or completely recaptures the group's immense past magic. That said, as an outlet for one of the best duos to deal with smothering grief and loss, it is a blessing that it exists at all.

The first release from these Australian friends finds firm footing as GUM / Ambrose Kenny-Smith Ill Times pumps up the jams and rocks the house.

Inside Problems is a warm collection of quirky, catchy tracks that capture a sense of aloofness assuaging listeners during these troubling times.

He puts his own spin on tracks with minimal brooding instrumentation, but he delivers for his idol in conventional fashion even adjusting his vocals to mimic Presley more than he normally would.

Final Transmission is a touching tribute to the life of Scofield, allowing his immense talent to be enjoyed by the world one last time.

Whatever way you slice it, Deer Tick’s “leftovers” are better than the main courses of many other bands. This compilation is an attempt to show fans a more vulnerable side of the band, the ones that would choose the mayonnaise.

On the career-spanning Mahashmashana, things are not connected musically, but they still manage to thematically tie together lyrically around Tillman’s thoughts on aging and death. The self-centered artist still conjures up thought-provoking and, most importantly, enjoyable songs.

True to form, Ordinary Man provides the rock and roll heft Osbourne’s fans crave.

This casual record isn’t meant to change the world, it is just a deep dive into the tunes the duo love; less a major release than a passion project but by adding Deaton and Brown to these sessions The Black Keys blues workouts on Delta Kream go down smooth.

[Sloan] have certainly built up a solidly loyal following over the years but have inexplicably never been huge outside of their native Canada. Steady likely won’t do much to change that but is certain to make even the most casual fans of the band happy.

Benmont Tench uses his spirituality, heartbreak, aging, love, pathos, and humor throughout The Melancholy Season, a contemplative affair perfect for the album’s title moments.

This lovingly covered collection will not make new fans of either act, but as a loving document to a unique songwriter, it succeeds.

Slow Pulp keeps those odd touches in place, scuffing up a very pretty album just enough to keep things interesting throughout Yard.

Her obsession with the past, recent losses, and more directly with mortality is overwhelming. If you are feeling down, it’s best to avoid listening. Okay, you have been sufficiently warned. There are, of course, positive aspects too. Her poetry is as rich as ever. She does have a couple of optimistic tunes, and her thought patterns often resemble those 3 AM dreams. Well, maybe that part isn’t so positive, but they are certainly relatable. The album is also somewhat deceptive.

The trend was fairly clear in coming, with each passing record Medford has shifted towards more mainstream sounds. Fully embracing the break-up/hook-up dance-ready pattern (with slight distortion around the edges) Medford’s efforts are ready to be sung out over large speaker stacks instead of smaller indie rock clubs.