Adrianne Lenker is such a gift to the indie music world. There was little doubt that “Abysskiss” was going to be good, but she really outdid herself here. In between her last solo folk albums and now, Big Thief has blown up, and most listeners probably know Lenker as a bandleader. “Abysskiss” returns Lenker’s voice to an acoustic setting, putting the emphasis on her guitar work (phenomenal), her songwriting (top notch), and that voice (gorgeous). And god, what a ... read more

This is some really unique indie folk. Even if “Pillar of Na” was composed more conventionally, it would still be a good and enjoyable album. Saintseneca frontman Zac Little writes catchy but introspective songs with melodies that split the difference between Midwest emo and alt-country (needless to say, Pinegrove fans definitely need to check out Saintseneca). But the arrangements here combine a unique set of instruments and stylistic influences, and the inventiveness of these ... read more

Certainly one of the best mainstream pop albums of the year, “Isolation” proves Kali Uchis is a real tour de force. The album is packed with a staggering amount of talent, and the production is utterly immaculate. Though you could describe “Isolation” as neo-soul, Uchis has little use for genre confines. She proves herself an excellent pick in both producers and collaborators, who all do strong work in tuning her songs to the most appropriate styles and moods. And Uchis ... read more

If you avoid folk-based singer-songwriters out of the perception that they’re overly earnest, steer clear of “Give Up the Ghost.” Otherwise, this is the sort of album that transcends genre-based fandom; just about any music fan could find something to appreciate here. Brandi Carlile is an incredibly likable singer-songwriter, penning heart-on-sleeve but sharp lyrics and succeeding both in a stripped-down folk setting or with some surprisingly hefty rock hooks. This sort of ... read more