What’s really impressive here, however, is instead of crafting another album filled with ethical coaching (which was actually a pretty damn good record, by the way), the group found an interesting theme and stuck to it.

Combined with newly found experiences, newly discovered self-awareness and newly refined skills, By the Throat catches this almost-forgotten duo at a new height of the pair's combined powers. Well worth the wait.

Hercules head Andy Butler enters into sizable trances of sonic pleasure, keeping a consistent head nodding and danceable bass line while piling up different elements into an anachronistic salad of old and new melodies all combining and fusing to make something refreshingly current.

This album showcases the fact that every member stepped up to this creative challenge. A thoroughly enjoyable departure until we hear from Jack and Meg.

Depart From Me is a cohesive album of dark hip hop from an MC in top form.

Rated O is relentless enough and mean enough and playful enough to rope us in for 3 albums worth of music.

His dark, gritty boom bap is back. Better than ever.

Fish Outta Water is a very strong project.

While it may be Moby's darkest record yet, Wait For Me should, at very least, serve as an optimistic sign that Moby's independent creative juices are still flowing.

This isn’t exactly a new Wu album. Just think of it as a nice experimental side-project--one that’s 10 times better than their last major one.

A psychedelic journey quite unlike any other that could very well result in the creation of a completely new category of music simply known as Utopia Rap because musically it doesn't get much better than this.

Needless to say, for a band only formed in January 2008, not only is this release very ambitious, but also well meticulously well crafted.

Collas and Marquand hold things down with DJ tightness, while members of bands like TV on the Radio and The Dap Kings let loose in the grooves.

Eugene McGuinness is a time traveling disc where Eugene blends his creativity with sounds of the past. And although this may have not been intentional, it is somewhat still appreciated.

The true brilliance here is what is not done rather than what is. Instead of getting repetitive, drawn out, and maybe even boring, the album concludes itself at a measly yet perfect 11 tracks, clocking in at just under 40 minutes.

The guys do an incredible job of combining both the “Diplo” and “Switch” styles with that of Major Lazer, while still paying respect to a genre they clearly love.

Although at times the tunes become monotonous, the brother and sister group show that they’re going to be around for a hot minute, cranking out anti-Disney channel ditties in the name of all things punk.

A fluid transition is made into album closer Circulation, an exhilarating piece where the not-so-secret-weapon, drummer Moses Archuleta propels the band through the universe that's made Deerhunter's records so repeat-worthy; that place where reverbed typhoons are miraculously contained and space is somehow kept taut.

Given their experience writing and producing for the likes of Kylie Minogue, Madonna and Brittney Spears, it stands to reason why Miike Snow is such an irresistibly captivating album.

British Sea Power have shown their competence and achieved another level of musical integrity--the album, perhaps best enjoyed when paired with the film, nonetheless holds its ground as a standalone product, expanding the mise-en-scène of the film enormously and contributing to the documentary (if perhaps problematic) legacy of Robert Flaherty’s work.

Despite the dead weight of his guest MC, Quik delivers a package full of heat. Nothing new or ground breaking, just good old fashioned West Coast party bounce.

While there's some experimentation with new ideas here, Jhelli Beam is familiar enough to leave Busdriver fans more than satisfied. Unfortunately, it's also unlikely to convert many newcomers to the cause.

That sweet spot between the dancefloor and the moshpit is something that more and more electronic acts seem to be pursuing these days. Freeland shows he's still a vet of that particular tightrope.

On Drift, LA-based producer Nosaj Thing’s debut album, the numerous layers of synths sonically sub in for the verbalization, creating a 37-minute instrumental masterpiece.

Jay Stay Paid is a smooth hip hop ride. It is an effort that should be applauded and J-Dilla is a producer whose contributions will be appreciated from years to come. This album is another piece of evidence that testifies to that truth.

This is a well-rounded album that is as artistically rich as it is sonically pleasing. The Sounds are going to be around for awhile.

Combine some of the best pipes in the game with Grizzly Bear's newfound comfort in executing the grand & epic, and you've got Veckatimest; a total triumph that threatens to dwarf their own previous "House."

The band plainly “rocks” and on Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix they have perfectly translated that ability onto their proper recorded output--for better or worse.