Category: ESSENTIAL NEW MUSIC

A survey of “what’s in your bag” record-store interviews is bound to reveal that most music lovers nowadays like more

There’s no shortage of music documentaries that leave way too much in; how many hours do you really want to

If you name your country band Tobacco City, you’re duty bound to play some songs about bad decisions. The Chicago

The title is a bit of a dare. Can you find the one note that Bill Nace plays? Good luck.

“Fantas” originally appeared on Caterina Barbieri’s 2019 LP, Ecstatic Computation, as a cascade of tone-bursts that bounced, Superball style, away

There’s been no shortage of records whose making reflects our times. Performed alone or cobbled together via file sharing, their

There’s a lot to be said about William Parker. He’s a peerless double bassist, a culture-spanning multi-instrumentalist, an ambitious composer,

Anyone who’s not only been making albums for more than 20 years, but ones that stack up awards in his

Eleventh Dream Day knows a few things about staying the distance. The Chicago-based combo includes two members—vocalist/guitarist Rick Rizzo and

Rock ‘n’ roll has a long history of being demanding. “Gimme some good times,” beseeched Lou Reed. “Gimme danger,” snarled

The Baltic nations of Latvia and Lithuania are neighbors, but they aren’t a culturally matched set. While Lithuania hosts a

There are golden ages, and then there’s what comes after them. Hailu Mergia has enjoyed plenty of spillover illumination from

50 years ago today, Todd Rundgren released Runt. The Ballad Of Todd Rundgren. We remember you. Read our review of

“Music,” Albert Ayler proclaimed, “is the healing force of the universe.” While it would be exceedingly species-centric to say that

Can’s best recordings were prescient when they were made and remain nonpareil to this day. The German group arrived at

Indústria was recorded during the 2015 edition of OUT.FEST, an experimental musical gathering that takes place across the river from Lisbon,

Afrique Victime captures Nigerien guitarist/singer Mdou Moctar at moment of transition. Having built a substantial audience on the strength of

If you adhere to the rule of thumb that the right cover compels you to purchase a record, take a