Since The Great Destroyer, Low seems compelled to hinge each successive album on the merit of one central idea, be that to rock out — not Low’s signature move — o

Kacey Musgraves’ major-label debut is an oasis of all I’ve needed from a songwriter; this album is immediately in the conversation of greats.

Drummer Bobby Falk’s second album showcases his playing, writing and arranging, with support from Luke Barker and Graeme Gardiner (saxophones), Kris Eans (trumpet/flugelhorn), John Arstingstall

Saxophonist Shorter turns 80 this year and has released his first album for Blue Note since 1970.

So warm and inviting, if it were a blanket, you’d curl up in its bare vocals and sensuous rhythm.

Legendary Black Flag guitarist Greg Ginn joins iconic skateboarding frontman Mike Vallely for Good For You, a project that supposes to be energetic and vibrant.

Bygone is the marriage of David Grubbs and the angular noise-rock of previous acts Squirrel Bait and Bastro, replaced by the contemplative pop music started in Gastr Del Sol and continued here in his

Clearly weaned on acts like The Fall and Gang of Four, Opposable Thumbs are committed to their influences, all to absolutely positive effect.

If this was played without any preface, you may assume this to be by The Smiths or Echo and the Bunnymen, some obscure b-side you somehow missed.

“There’s a time in my life / That I sometimes go back to” is an aphoristic taste of Wakin on a Pretty Daze’s screened-in porch atmosphere.