Lydia Loveless’ Nothing’s Gonna Stand In My Way Again is a cathartic release without a strong resolution, as the journey is the focus, staying strong through heartbreak, mental stress, and much more.

On his fifth studio effort, Brent Cobb has never sounded more relaxed. And the calm, self-assured flow of his vocals is not particularly out of place for this always-on-the-cusp-of-making-it-big Americana artist, but there is a laid back flow to Southern Star that is hard to ignore and nearly impossible not to love.

At this point in their over thirty-year career, Teenage Fanclub is confident in their mixture of light touches around an indie rock foundation and Nothing Lasts Forever continues them on their journey.

In just two short years, Russell has emerged as one of our most important voices, and The Returner further projects her voice and career.

Art Dealers may just be his best album yet.

Each poetic song on The Land is Inhospitable and So Are We paints a powerful picture that is made more captivating by the orchestral and choir arrangements. It’s a risky record, but one that pays off much better than trying to be rid of a soul.

The real highlights for Woods this go around are the four instrumental efforts that each have a distinct vibe yet are linked spiritually. Rather than acting as placeholders they take root as distinct works.

A balance of material, performance, and production mirrors the bandleader’s emotional equanimity in such sublime fashion, Relentless is as close to perfect as long-player out this year.

Baroness has carved out its own niche within the metal landscape. On Stone, that landscape is thoroughly explored, from the depths of the dirtiest sludge to beautiful rootsy vistas to the expanse of the cosmos.

End feels like the soundtrack to life, placing you as the main character as the band crafts dynamic instrumentals that melt like gold and shine just as bright for their best album in recent memory.

The record starts off with “Lowland Trail,” a solid folk/country hybrid, but it’s on the next two tracks where she really shines; the horn-laden, unrushed “Keep It on A Burner” and “I Remember Carolina,” an undeniable earworm up there was with John Prine when it comes to charmingly sly wordplay. Across 11 tracks, the album is a near flawless exercise in songwriting.

End of the Day is a bit of an enigma. Fans of Anonymous Club may enjoy the atmospheric score and recall some of their favorite accompanying scenes from the documentary. For everyone else, there’s not much to get out of it.

Bird Machine allows the nuances of Linkous’s unique artistry to take center stage while keeping even the most hectic moments intimate. These 14 songs put a stunningly beautiful bow on the Sparklehorse discography while being so distinctive and magically stirring, they stand in a spotlight all to their own.

While this may not become your favorite James Blake album instantly, it is one that toes the delicate line of pleasing the world while staying true to yourself. Playing Robots Into Heaven is a snapshot of Blake’s ambitions while still sounding present and urgent.

Slowdive has created another masterpiece and shown why they are one of the most respected bands of the shoegaze genre.

One can’t help but marvel at Clay’s talent in this ambitious effort which may seem a bit uneven at first but reveals its cohesiveness in repeated listens.

Capricorn by Eddie 9V is proof that his aptitude for soul music is just as strong as his aptitude for the blues. He shows that he can sing the slow smooth songs just as well as he can shout with the best of them. Be ready to do some dancing when you hear this one. Also, be ready to feel better at the end than you did at the beginning of this mood-boosting album.

After years of recording under various aliases, he seems to have made peace with it and settled back into Wreckless Eric as his moniker. As his past several albums prove, he is just as vital.

A varied effort that showcases a lot of rocking touchpoints, The Window feels like a solid new beginning from Ratboys as they expand their sound.

Having grown from teenagers to adults during their time away, there isn’t that vibrant, chaotic spark of their past records. In its place is a self-assured swaggering that fits Be Your Own Pet well as they successfully start the second chapter of their career with Mommy.

Jump For Joy finds the clouds parting and Taylor and his band finally reveling in the possibility of happier times. The uncertainty is still there, but this time tinged with optimism.

Swinging Stars is not only Mapache’s best album to date, it is a pillar of the band’s restless creativity. For 14 tracks, the duo dips their toes in every corner of folk and emerges with something so unique and personal it’s undeniable.

Lyrically Batiste plays it middle of the road, not to offend, and at times that hollowness can seem like a bad parody. ... That title, World Music Radio, pledges a larger scope of sound which Batiste is certainly capable of incorporating, but too often different genres get a quick cameo before Batiste goes back to the dance-ready pop tracks.

Genesis Owusu crafted an out-of-body experience of a sophomore LP. In a fit of cascading synths and lively flows, STRUGGLER has the artist not only attempting to understand the world around him but reimagining his already innovative style

Giddens is one of the most important, and as this proves, versatile artists of our times. Certainly the crowning achievement of her three recordings so far, we’re left wondering if there is anything she can’t do.

The musical conversations span different genres and styles as Marc Ribot’s Ceramic Dog hit new highs on Connection as the band throws out any sort of expectations and just delivers highly vibrant music that goes where the spirit takes it.

It’s hard not to agree with what might otherwise sound like hyperbole: this is one of, if not the finest effort of the great iconoclast’s career.

Will Oldham has set a new standard for himself on Keeping Secrets Will Destroy You, a standard that could only possibly be outdone by the artist who set it.