Chris Conaton
They Might Be Giants produce banger tracks, some really weird, very successful experiments, and another handful of songs where listeners’ mileage may vary.
1mo
Ambiguous Desire is a dance pop album, but since this is Arlo Parks, it’s a low-key, introspective one. The indie dance pop feel is a successful sonic shift.
2mo
Catchy melodies and big guitars are the order of the day on Sloan’s 14th album, with a side of Chris Murph’s jauntier piano-driven songs to change things up.
7mo
Neko Case’s new album brings her signature blend of achingly beautiful melodies, idiosyncratic songwriting, and, of course, a song about an animal.
8mo
With SISTER, Frost Children haven’t quite figured out the balance between engaging songwriting and just reaching for the big hooks.
7mo
The Beths’ Straight Line Was a Lie is full of catchy hooks, big guitar riffs, and often introspective lyrics. The New Zealand quartet are at the top of their game.
9mo
Nova Twins’ willingness to draw from essentially any music style of the last 40 years and incorporate it into their sound makes their music a fascinating polyglot.
9mo
Molly Tuttle’s So Long Little Miss Sunshine finds her stretching out her sound, though her songwriting and guitar skills continue to be on full display.
10mo
Despite its eight tracks covering a variety of emotional territory, the overriding feeling of the Swell Season’s Forward is one of a joyful reunion.
10mo
Quickly Quickly’s melodies make this a catchy, very listenable record. The oddball sounds and layered arrangements make it a treat to dig into this album repeatedly.
1y
The additional tone colors are welcome throughout, and their basic style remains highly entertaining and engaging. Yet the lack of any real change of pace, stylistically or even tempo-wise, makes it hard to ignore how similar these songs sound.
1y
Great Grandpa sound like a solid acoustic rock band for most of Patience, Moonbeam. Then they pull out a Radiohead pastiche, a trip-hop track, and things get more interesting.
1y
Despite a title nearly as long as the record itself, Courting’s ambitious attempts to stretch beyond basic guitar rock pay off richly on their third album.
1y
Coheed and Cambria are in a contemplative mood, but that doesn’t stop them from deploying their trademark intricate guitar riffs and catchy choruses.
1y
Given Jason Isbell’s track record as a songwriter, it’s no surprise that a completely stripped-down album turns out to be one of his best.
1y
While Nada Surf doesn’t have any big statements to make this time, it’s nice to hear them relaxed and enjoying themselves on Moon Mirror. There’s a lightness to this record that goes well with their power-pop sound, making it a lot of fun.
1y
Fat Dog’s combination of live instruments and rock influences with a more modern dance sound seems like a winner for finding an audience in 2024.
1y
When Fake Fruit find a strong musical hook on Mucho Mistrust, their songs are a lot of fun. When they don’t, their sloppiness comes to the fore.
1y
Pom Poko have figured out how to combine complex math rock with big pop hooks, but their willingness to stretch beyond these styles makes Champion intriguing.
1y
Despite the lyrical beats getting a little worn out, her anything-goes approach keeps Falling for Robots and Wishing I Was One engaging throughout.
1y