Mitski doesn’t disappoint the listeners. Based on the success of her last album The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We success, I was expecting the same level of surprises. Lyrically there are plenty of surprises but I just get Where’s my Phone and That White Cat to name two. Musically it’s a very solid album.

The things I love about TNP include their prolific churning out of great records, the balance of Neko Case and AC Newman on vocals, their drumming and the new terrain they cover as artists. The Former Site Of is definitely a more mellow release for the band without any “jump around” songs you know them for. That doesn’t mean they can’t keep a driving rhythm on this album. The Former Site Of track is especially great with the solid driving drumming of Charley Drayton ... read more

The songs have potential but the singer’s non-ability to carry a tune killed it.

A nice tight pop band in the vein of the lemonheads. There are a few memorable songs but generally this is a well constructed album by a talented rock band.

Head and the Heart are consistently good and this EP is very good. Beg, Steal, Borrow is excellent and sounds like something Neil Young would have written. The song is enthralling.

Great tight band playing instrumental R&B, lots of horns, tight percussion but their stuff isn’t what I’m looking for.

Iceland’s Asgeir voice has never sounded better.2020’s Bury The Moon was my first listen to a new impressive artist. I think Julia is his best LP. Quiet Life and Julia re beautiful. It’s a great album to play on a day you want to escape to Iceland.

Not a long term SSPU fan but I really like this album. My only experience was via Lazy Eye ages ago. I especially like Witness Mark.

Lots of music on this album and splendid musicians. For sure it’s progressive, leaning more to early Genesis than to Queen but there are Queen moments like Warp and Weft.

Every week when looking for new music I visit Far Out Magazine from the UK and in a few instances they turn me on to new music all the US sources overlook. Cynthia is one of those instances. There’s not a bad song on this album, in fact most are excellent. If you like boygenius style pop vocals and harmonies this is a great album. The band, pedal steel and orchestration beautifully elevate the mood and make the album memorable.

The magic of a Chris Walla production is very powerful. Last year Petey USA with Wallas skill put out a great album. I feel the same could be said about Ratboy’s new album. This was my first experience with Ratboy but the guitars, drums and indie rock vibes as well as, the singers voice, as sweet as Metric’s Emily Haines. But the voice has a bite that carries their music. This on first listen goes into my favorite of the year.

What a beautiful voice and a very clean, well produced album. Listen to Fear Bangs the Drum, Grace Notes and The Lighthouse and you should be hooked.

Blackwater Holylight, Not Here Not Gone is a heavyweight slugfest from beginning to end. The band’s slow gaze style is a bit like Tool or Audioslave without the intense instrumentation or searing vocals. Turn up the bass on this album because it’s pretty heavy. I felt the album started a bit slow with little intricate guitar work to elevate the sound. Bodies, the third track lets loose the bands potential and culminates with Poppyfields where the drumming and violin begin to ... read more

The album comes off less of a strong country duo and more as a duo playing at a restaurant gig in Park City. The lead singer has a waxahatchee sound but more nasally and a constant higher pitch. Palmer Lee counters her voice well but not enough for me to make it through the whole album.

There’s a lot to really like in this album. For one, the musician is from Portland OR, where I live. Another is how the melodies match with the voice. Third is the somber sound, like looking out the window at a rainy Saturday in Portland. You just want to take it in. Yes, it does sound a lot like an early Phoebe Bridgers album where Julian Baker wrote the lyrics. Is it a 2026 favorite, not yet but maybe.

I haven’t listened to math rock in ages but always liked Pinback or Foals. On this album there are great melodies and a really tight instrumentation. What’s sorely lacking are soaring harmonies. I found the album become a bit boring.

A surprise when I figured nothing of substance would be released. With the exception of a couple of songs, the music is melodically haunting. Jesse Syke’s voice is perfect for the moment. The Sweet Hereafter adds great harmonies and sound. Like Great Grandpa this year you hook up americana with indie rock.

First time, not the last time, listening to Hayley. It makes me happy she’s a Portlander. We have such a special music scene and this album is wonderful. Her voice is exquisite! Max rougher voice plays perfectly with Hayley’s sultry voice.

Huge fan of Wolf Alice and I think this album is excellent. It’s far more poppy than anything they’ve done before. Their musicianship shines brightly. I would like a bit more bite and some of the dark drama in previous albums but still love this band.

Very good folk album. I expect to hear more from him in the coming years. This album was nominated for a Grammy.