For all of its brainy machinations, what An Overview on Phenomenal Nature never forgets to do is make a human connection. Jenkins puts herself central to the story and provides the vulnerability to be the patient whose body needs healing hands placed upon it.

Forfolks is a galaxy in eight tracks—these songs orbit each other wordlessly, leaving near-tangible tracks of light in their wake.

PROTO is a rare work that matches incredible conceptual ideas with accessibility for even the most passive of listeners. Impenetrable aural academia this is not. This album makes you think more and more with each listen as its layered brilliance unravels in new, exciting ways.

Ultimately Menomena only confirms what many already know--that love and relationships are tricky--but damn if it isn't an interesting ride.

Calling Bloodsports a comeback album almost seems to belittle just how strong a record it really is; it’s nearly as good as any they’ve put out before.

A dose of Strange Ranger at their most potent, polished, and adventurous.

From the upgraded sonics to the purity of each song’s message, The Window finds a band a dozen years in and still hitting their peak with each successive release. An utter joy.

Like The xx, Nation of Language impress these lustrous electronics with heart-on-the-sleeve passion. For a band that owes so much to the ’80s, their ethos couldn’t be more modern.

Truly there are no weak tracks on Versions of Modern Performance, where even the handful of instrumental snippets (“The Guitar is Dead 3” echoes Daydream Nation’s “Providence”) serve as transitions to some of the album’s most muscular songs. Over the course of the album, Horsegirl show they can tackle all manner of post-punk territory, while never losing focus on the value of a well timed hook or buried melody.

It is the most hungry and explosive Scott has ever sounded, blowing her style into a magical fantasia of instrumental bombast and delirious joy.

It's a groove from beginning to end, and much like Bradley's musical career, Black Velvet doesn't fail to appeal to listeners both young and old. His talent and spirit will be sorely missed.

What makes the set worthwhile are the live tracks and demos.... The largeness of these songs and the powerful punch they packed as both radio hits and Britpop anthems continues to resonate nearly 20 years after the fact.

This is music so alive, real, raw, and occasionally frightening, that it forces you into its grip for its almost 40 minute running time, refusing to let you go. It might not be something that you would play that often given the intensity, but when you do, its emotional impact hits like a ton of bricks.

The whole record feels like an artist capturing his moment, building on the foundations laid in Vol. 1 to create something even better. Sonically similar, yet richer, there's a confidence here that shines brighter right from the stunning "In a Moment" to the heart-meltingly beautiful musical interlude "Heaven for Meg."

Blue Hearts is Mould at his fiercest and most deliberate. [Aug - Oct 2020, p.87

The album's triumph is in shoring up our capacity to keep searching, making sense of the chaos and loving no matter what, summed up beautifully in the end with "There's a million battles that I'm never gonna win anyway/I'm still waiting for you every night with ticker tape, ticker tape." It can't be a celebration each time, but in surmounting failings large and minute, this eighth National album posits, sometimes it should be.

As much as they try to shy away from the shoegaze label, Cheatahs have crafted an album which, if not for coming out tow decades after the fact, could stand with some of the genre's greats. [Feb/Mar 2014, p.70]

Their debut is first and foremost a smartly crafted record, full of irresistible melodic hooks and detailed production. The results are all-enveloping and mesmerizing, crafting a glittery pop landscape with plenty of layers to uncover and unexpected new territory to explore with each listen.

Peacers is half-an-hour of fun, guitar-driven weirdness, and a throwback to the type of music that Drag City used to put out in their mail-order days.

It’s a record that operates in extremes, with the highs ascending to ultra-catchy pop bliss and the lows exploring barren depths of depression. Each emotion and each moment is transient, leading seamlessly into the next in an overwhelming rush.

Not only do they show absolutely impeccable taste with the material they cover here, but the execution is flawless. Simply put, this is one of 2016's finest efforts.

Chunky Shrapnel is the most comprehensive artistic effort from the Melbourne seven-piece to date.

Glasgow Eyes cements The Jesus and Mary Chain’s legacy as influential pioneers, but it’s more than just a nostalgic trip. It’s a testament to their ability to surprise, innovate, and craft music that still resonates even at this stage in their career.

I Don’t Want You Anymore is destined to be your new guilty pleasure as the superb vocals and ultra-cool textures of these robust and vibrant tunes creep into your consciousness and stay playing in your head long after the album is over.

Warm Chris is a marvel to behold and a joy to listen to in spite of it being shot through with tell-tale signs of brokenness and burst bubbles.

Everything is alive may only contain eight tracks, but Slowdive manage to craft an album of profound beauty full of emotional heft, which encompasses sadness, joy, gratitude, and ultimately optimism.

While it may feel like there's no more to say on the subject of R.E.M.'s music, there's certainly plenty more that's worthwhile to listen to here.

As art begets art, A Beginner’s Mind is both truly inspirational and a testament to what can come out of work-shopping with A-list performers.