The best albums released this month
Below, we look at the past month's best-reviewed new LP releases. For each album below, we list the percentages of "great" critic reviews (with an individual critic score above 80), "good" critic reviews (61-80), "mixed" reviews (40-60), and "bad" reviews (below 40).
Listen on SpotifyEmpros 91 (Sargent House)
by Russian Circles
Listen to "Mladek"
There are only six tracks on this dynamic fourth album by instrumental metal band Russian Circles, but they are heavy. While previous albums could almost be classified as post-rock, that's not the case here; "Empros is by far the closest thing to a true metal album that Russian Circles has ever made," reports the A.V. Club. Absolute Punk feels that Empros is ample evidence that Russian Circles are the best instrumental band working today, and several other reviewers think that this album is the band's best yet. More reviews...
| Also by this artist: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Geneva | 2009 | 79 |
| Station | 2008 | 73 |
Bad As Me 88 (Anti-)
by Tom Waits
Listen to "Bad As Me"
The legendary Tom Waits' first album of new material since 2004's Real Gone contains 13 new songs (and another 3 in the deluxe version), co-produced as usual with his wife Kathleen Brennan. And critics love it, with many calling it his best album in years. A vital, energetic, balanced, filler-free mix of ballads and "wild, rattling bawlers," Bad As Me appears to be classic Waits, suitable for newcomers and long-time fans alike. While the latter group may have heard similar things from the artist before, the Alternative Press (like many publications) doesn't seem to mind, saying the album works as a "'greatest methods' collection."More reviews...
| Also by this artist: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards | 2006 | 92 |
| Alice | 2002 | 90 |
| Blood Money | 2002 | 84 |
| Glitter And Doom Live | 2009 | 79 |
| Real Gone | 2004 | 78 |
Listen on Spotify Looping State of Mind 85 (Kompakt)
by The Field
Listen to "Then It's White"
Swedish minimal techno artist Axel Willner, who records as The Field, hasn't shown any progression in album cover design since 2007's From Here We Go Sublime. Fortunately, his quality level has remained almost that consistent as well, with critics admiring his considerable composition skills on this third album, which should re-convert fans who were disappointed in Willner's second LP. Indeed, even the less enthusiastic reviewers here consider Looping to be a step up from the last album. But most critics are in fact enthusiastic about the new album, calling it "blissful," "awe-inspiring," and "magnificent," despite nearing (but, as the A.V. Club suggests, never quite reaching) "experimental" territory. And several publications consider it Willner's best album to date. More reviews...
| Also by this artist: | ||
|---|---|---|
| From Here We Go Sublime | 2007 | 90 |
| Yesterday And Today | 2009 | 79 |
Listen on Spotify Glass Swords 85 (Warp)
by Rustie
Listen to "All Nite"
Glass Swords is the debut LP from Scottish electronic music producer Russell Whyte, who records under the name Rustie. And this fun, high energy album has made quite an impression on critics so far. Resident Advisor comments that Rustie's overall template is "influenced equally by progressive rock and video games," and that no matter how "self-consciously cheesy" his sounds may be, the quality of the songs and the overall flow of the album make everything work. Other critics note that the album is densely packed with sounds, but that Rustie "shows just the right amount of restraint to prevent total disarray," and knows "when to stick with it and when to move on." More reviews...
Listen on Spotify On the Water 82 (Thrill Jockey)
by Future Islands
Listen to "Balance"
The Baltimore-based synthpop trio return with their second Thrill Jockey release and third album overall, a loose concept album intended to take the listener on a journey through his memories. Critics are noting a new maturity in the band's approach; Pop Matters admires how Sam Herring's distinctive vocals (which fall somewhere in between David Bowie and Tom Waits territory) have been turned down a notch, to better showcase the lush and textured music; the result is "a seriously melancholy—and quietly brilliant—album." Dusted agrees, finding that On the Water successfully balances the "previously competing dynamics" of chilly synths and emotional lyrics, though that publication also notes that the "smooth edges may inspire mixed reactions" among fans of the band. Some critics, however, find the new album to be a more difficult and confusing listen. More reviews...
| Also by this artist: | ||
|---|---|---|
| In Evening Air | 2010 | 74 |
Ghost People 81 (Brainfeeder)
by Martyn
Martyn is the alias of Dutch producer and DJ Martijn Deykers, who released one previous album, 2009's techno/dubstep blend Great Lengths. While this second LP may not be a classic, reviews are solid across the board. What does it sound like? Resident Advisor describes Ghost People's sound as "a skewed breakbeat house that forgoes the elegance his earlier material in favour of tough dancefloor material," adding that what it lacks in the first album's "sterling innovation it makes up for in confidence." The BBC admires how multi-faceted the album is, while Dusted similarly notes Martyn's "broad vocabulary" and also notes that despite the diversity, the LP features an "uninterrupted flow." Pitchfork, however, finds that while the album boasts "some engagingly slippery beats" and "plenty of intensity ... there's not a ton of immediate personality to this music." More reviews...
Listen on Spotify Metals 80 (Interscope)
by Feist
Listen to "How Come You Never Go There"
While Metals may not boast any one track as catchy as "1234" from 2007's The Reminder, it captures some of the serenity of the Big Sur location where it was recorded, while also incorporating an organic feeling from its mostly live (rather than overdubbed) recording process. Ranging from poppy and peppy to string-enhanced ballads, the 12 tracks were recorded with musicians such as Chilly Gonzales and Bjork collaborator Valgeir Sigurđsson. A handful of critics find Metals a bit too atmospheric and "monochromatic," verging on "dull" at times. But others admire its sheer beauty, with No Ripcord declaring it to be a near flawless work, the L.A. Times describing the LP as "truly gorgeous," and Entertainment Weekly calling it "an artfully arranged opus with such natural beauty, it should be certified organic." More reviews...
| Also by this artist: | ||
|---|---|---|
| The Reminder | 2007 | 79 |
Listen on Spotify Breaks in the Armor 80 (Merge)
by Crooked Fingers
Listen to "Typhoon"
The indie rock band led by former Archers of Loaf frontman Eric Bachmann return with their first new album in three years and sixth LP overall. Many critics point out that the sound of Breaks in the Armor is more stripped-down and spare than previous efforts, though several, like Under the Radar, find that it's still a great showcase of "Bachmann's strengths as a songwriter and as a compelling singer." More reviews...
| Also by this artist: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Red Devil Dawn | 2003 | 82 |
| Dignity And Shame | 2005 | 75 |
| To The Races by Eric Bachmann | 2006 | 69 |
| Forfeit/Fortune | 2008 | 68 |
Listen on Spotify The Lost Notebooks of Hank Williams 80 (Columbia)
by Various Artists
As the album title suggests, this compilation—curated by Bob Dylan—combines never-before-heard lyrics by the country legend with newly created music performed by an all-star roster that features Jack White, Sheryl Crow, Norah Jones, and Lucinda Williams, in addition to Dylan himself. While critic Robert Christgau misses Williams' voice (he finds that some of the artists here "lack character"), other reviewers find that many (though not all) of the singers acquit themselves well on the album. Indeed, the main problem here appears to be consistency, which pretty much is par for the course with such multi-artist compilations. More reviews...
| Album | Label | Metascore | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lenses Alien by Cymbals Eat Guitars | Barsuk | 79 | |
| Biophilia by Bjork | Nonesuch | 79 | |
| Hurry Up, We're Dreaming by M83 | Mute | 78 | |
| Conatus by Zola Jesus | Sacred Bones | 78 | |
| Ashes & Fire by Ryan Adams | Capitol | 78 | |
| Creatures of an Hour by Still Corners | Sub Pop | 78 | |
| Howl Of The Lonely Crowd by Comet Gain | What's Your Rupture? | 77 | |
| Revelation Road by Shelby Lynne | Everso Records | 77 | |
| How Do You Do by Mayer Hawthorne | Republic | 76 | |
| 4everevolution by Roots Manuva | Big Dada | 75 | |
| In the Pit of the Stomach by We Were Promised Jetpacks | Fat Cat | 75 | |
| Days by Real Estate | Domino | 75 | |
| Avoid these: | |||
| Clear as Day by Scotty McCreery | Interscope | 55 | |
| The Awakening by James Morrison | Republic | 54 | |
| The Great Escape Artist by Jane's Addiction | Capitol | 53 | |
What do you think?
What new albums or songs are in heavy rotation on your MP3 player? Let us know in the comments section below.
