Laura Gibson
La Grande (Barsuk; Jealous Butcher)

I recently heard someone on NPR use the term “desert noir” to describe the band Calexico. Having never heard the term before, I immediately took to it. …more

Sean Rowe
Magic (Collar City)

It might be hard to get past the first song on Sean Rowe’s Magic it if you have a real aversion to guitar-based songs written in what is commonly referred to as “adult contemporary” style: competent music writing and playing, extending just to the edge of what is comfortable. …more

Angel Olsen
Strange Cacti (Bathetic Records)

Reverb and other effects make Angel Olsen’s voice, accompanied only by guitar, sound otherworldly on Strange Cacti. …more

Cass McCombs
Humor Risk (Domino)

The thing I have noticed about Cass McCombs, or rather the thing I think is a telling parallel to his music, is that he never really looks the same in pictures. …more

Eleanor Friedberger
Last Summer (Merge)

Last Summer, the first solo release from Eleanor Friedberger, half of the Brooklyn duo The Fiery Furnaces, is, for better or for worse, a summer record. …more