May the 4th be with you. As Gandalf said: we hope you live long and prosper or whatever.

Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of May 4th, 2018.  Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors.  As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the art work so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.

Featured Release

Frank Turner – Be More Kind
Genre: Folk Punk / Pop Rock
Label: Xtra Mile / Polydor / Interscope

As evidenced by the album art and title, the central theme of Frank Turner’s newest release is one of empathy and compassion in a time of ever-pervasive social and political turmoil. Be More Kind has several tracks that seem tailor-made for radio or your local Target – think more along the lines of “The Way I Tend to Be” from Tape Deck Heart, less anything pre-England Keep My Bones – with the hardest-hitting songs being “1933” and possibly album highlight “Brave Face”. Turner’s pop sensibilities are still strong, though, thanks to his backing band The Sleeping Souls sounding better than ever. In songs like “Little Changes”, “21st Century Survival Blues”, and even “Make America Great Again” (which might otherwise be a throwaway song without the humorous video – see 4:08 for an example), the warmer tones envelop like a blanket, and…

In the spirit of the NFL draft, we’ve asked Boomer to help us out with the news this week.

Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of April 27th, 2018.  Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors.  As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the art work so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.

Featured Release

Janelle Monae – Dirty Computer
Genre: Art Pop / Contemporary R&B
Label: Bad Boy

Almost five years after the genre-bending The Electric Lady, Ms. Monae continues her marvelous run. In a BBC Radio 1 interview with Annie Mac, Monae disclosed about Prince: “It’s hard for me to talk about him. But I do miss him, and his spirit will never leave me.” Prince’s presence can be heard throughout the record, and sure enough, that delectable synth line in single “Make Me Feel” was allegedly penned by The Purple One, per his DJ, Lenka Paris. Other highlights on the record include “Americans” – arguably the best politically-tinged song since the last American presidential election – along with “I Got the Juice” (featuring Pharrell Williams) and “PYNK” (in collaboration with Grimes).

– Sample List of Releases: April 27th, 2018 –

The Armed – Only Love
Genre:…

Did you leave your milk and cookies out for Willie Nelson?

Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of April 20th, 2018.  Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors.  As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the art work so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.

Featured Release

A Perfect Circle – Eat the Elephant
Genre: Alternative Rock
Label: BMG
[Review]

“Why does Maynard look like he belongs in year 2000 Mudvayne?” –TheSpirit

Almost 15 years since Thirteenth Step (because nobody really wants to talk about eMOTIVe, right?), Maynard James Keenan, Billy Howerdel, and the rest of the band return with an appreciably moody offering, where themes of accountability, entitlement, and mortality percolate throughout the record. While Maynard acknowledged in a Rolling Stone interview that musicians might “not want to be too topical, because then you date your art”, his observations in contemporary times might continue to be just as applicable in another 15 years.

Apparently the latest trend for Sputnik darlings in their music videos is to stare at the camera at random intervals, although it’s unclear if “The Doomed” took inspiration of Steven Wilson. /s

– Sample List of Releases: April 20th, 2018 –

Cancer Bats – The Spark That Moves
Genre:…

We’re not superstitious, just a little stitious (hence the delay).

Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of April 13, 2018.  Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors.  As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the art work so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.

Featured Release

The Damned – Evil Spirits
Genre: Goth-tinged Punk
Label: Search and Destroy, Spinefarm UK

While this UK outfit might not always be mentioned in the same breath as The Clash or Sex Pistols, Evil Spirits is The Damned’s 11th LP and first in over a decade. Joining long-time stalwarts Captain Sensible and Dave Vanian is returning bassist Paul Gray, while the band recruited producer Tony Visconti due to their affinity for his work on David Bowie’s Blackstar. Lead single “Standing on the Edge of Tomorrow” and “Procrastination” are two highlights that showcase The Damned in 2018.

– Sample List of Releases: April 13, 2018 –

A Hawk and a Hacksaw – Forest Bathing
Genre: Eastern-tinged Indie Folk
Label: L.M. Dupli-cation

A Place to Bury Strangers – Pinned
Genre: Noise Rock
Label: Dead Oceans

Alexis Taylor – Beautiful Thing
Genre: Alternative / Indie
Label: Domino

Breaking Benjamin –…

Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of April 06, 2018.  Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors.  As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the art work so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.

Featured Release

Hypno5e: Alba: Les Ombres ErrantesGenre: Post Metal/Progressive/Acoustic // Label: Pelagic Records

Hypno5e has always been a band that required a bit of effort to fully get into. It wasn’t just that their sprawling post metal/prog/djent sound demanded a listener’s full attention, it was also the extended song lengths and frequent spoken-word monologues. Alba brings post metal structures, progressive tendencies, and even some djent rhythms, but it also gives listeners a new hurdle to overcome… it’s entirely acoustic. Of course, Albra isn’t the first time the band have dabbled in acoustics, but they had previously been brief and buried between more abrasive walls of sound. Surprisingly, the band pull it off really well… even if they still haven’t dropped the damn monologues.

Song Title: Who Wakes Up from this Dream Does Not Bear My Name

– Full List of Releases: April 06, 2018 –

30 Seconds to Mars: America
Genre: Alternative // Label: Interscope
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The Aces: When My Heart Felt Volcanic
Genre: Indie Rock // Label: Red Bull Records
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Alice Merton: No Roots
Genre: Indie Pop // Label: Mom + Pop
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Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of March 30, 2018. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors. As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the art work so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.

Featured Release

Augury: Illusive Golden Age Genre: Technical Death Metal // Label: The Artisan Era

Great technical death metal that is able to show off all the skills while still managing to be memorable, heavy, and even occasionally melodic. The bass player, in particular, deserves a mention here because he is definitely the star of the show, even if he is sometimes buried in the mix during the more chaotic moments. If there is a flaw, it is the vocals. They’re just a little too two-dimensional for me, but they get the job done.

“The Living Vault”:

– Full List of Releases: March 30, 2018 –

Alena Bernardi: Beautiful Moment
Genre: Pop/Singer/Songwriter // Label: Community Records
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Augury: Illusive Golden Age
Genre: Technical Death Metal // Label: The Artisan Era
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Barren Earth: A Complex of Cages
Genre: Progressive Death/Doom // Label: Century Media
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Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite: No Mercy In This Land
Genre: Blues/Rock //…

Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of March 23, 2018.  Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors.  As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the art work so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.

Featured Release

McCafferty: Yarn Genre: Post Hardcore/Indie/Pop Punk // Label: Triple Crown Records

Mixing pop punk, post hardcore, and a little bit of indie rock, McCafferty are back with their latest release, Yarn. Picking up right where they left off, “Loser” is short, catchy, and features everything the band is known for; twisted, humorous lyrics and catchy, upbeat poppy post hardcore.

“Loser”:

– Full List of Releases: March 23, 2018 –

The Absence: A Gift For the Obsessed
Genre: Melodic Death Metal // Label: M-Theory Audio
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Blessthefall: Hard Feelings
Genre: Metalcore/Post Hardcore // Label: Rise Records
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Brother JT: Tornado Juice
Genre: Psychedelic // Label: Thrill Jockey
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Cavern Of Anti-Matter: Hormone Lemonade
Genre: Electronic/Psychedelic // Label: Duophonic
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Deva Mahal: Run Deep
Genre: Indie/R&B // Label: Schnitzel Records
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Disconnected: White Colossus
Genre: Hard Rock/Metalcore // Label: Self-Released
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Erika Wennerstrom: Sweet Unknown
Genre: Indie Rock // Label: Partisan Records
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Fionne: Honeytrap
Genre: Folk/Pop // Label: FemmeKraft Records
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Guided By Voices: Space Gun
Genre: Lo-Fi/Indie Rock // Label: GBV Inc.
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Jack White: Boarding House Reach
Genre: American/Rock // Label: Third…

Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of March 16, 2018.  Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors.  As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the art work so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.

– Full List of Releases: March 16, 2018 –

Alva Noto: Unieqav
Genre: Electronic // Label: NOTON Records
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Bill Frisell: Music Is
Genre: Jazz // Label: Sony Masterworks
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Bishop Nehru: Elevators Act I & II
Genre: Rap // Label: Nehruvia LLC
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The Crown: Cobra Speed Venom
Genre: Thrash/Melodic Death Metal // Label: Metal Blade Records
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The Dean Ween Group: Rock 2
Genre: Alternative/Pop Rock // Label: Schnitzel Records
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The Decemberists: I’ll Be Your Girl
Genre: Alternative // Label: Capitol Records
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Earthless: Black Heaven
Genre: Psychedelic/Jam Rock // Label: Nuclear Blast Records
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Eyes Of The Sun: Chapter I (Reissue)
Genre: Doom/Sludge // Label: Metal Blade Records
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The Fratellis: In Your Own Sweet Time
Genre: Alternative/Indie Pop // Label: Cooking Vinyl
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Hot Snakes: Jericho Sirens
Genre: Punk/Post Hardcore // Label: Sub Pop Records
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Meshell Ndegeocello: Ventriloquism
Genre: Soul/Jazz/Funk  // Label: Naive
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Milla Romero: Milla Romero
Genre: Pop // Label: 925five Records
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Mount Eerie: Now Only
Genre: Indie Folk/Experimental // Label: Elverum & Sun
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The Oak Ridge Boys: 17th Avenue Revival
Genre: Country // Label: Lightning Rod Records
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Paradise…

Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of March 9, 2018.  Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors.  As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the art work so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.

Featured Release

Between the Buried And Me: Automata I
Genre: Progressive Metal/Metalcore // Label: Holy Roar Records

Background:

Between The Buried And Me is a progressive metalcore band that has been wowing the easily wowed for years. If BTBAM is your thing, then prepared to be wowed once more because Automata I  is definitely the best thing they’ve done since their last thing.

“Condemned To The Gallows”:

– Full List of Releases: March 9, 2018 –

Albert Hammond Jr.: Francis Trouble
Genre: Indie Pop/Indie Rock // Label: Red Bull Records
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August Greene: August Greene
Genre: Rap/Hip Hop // Label: August Greene LLC
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Between The Buried And Me: Automata I
Genre: Progressive Metal/Metalcore // Label: Sumerian Records
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Conjurer: Mire
Genre: Technical Death Metal // Label: Holy Roar Records
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David Byrne: American Utopia
Genre: Post Punk/Pop Rock // Label: Nonesuch Records
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Drowse: Cold Air
Genre: Ambient/Shoegaze/Electronic // Label: The Flenser
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Drudkh: They Often See Dreams About the Spring
Genre: Post Black Metal // Label: Season Of Mist
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Editors: Violence
…

Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of March 2, 2018.  Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors.  As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the art work so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.

Featured Release

Tech N9ne: Planet
Genre: Rap/Hip Hop // Label: Strange Music

Background:

Tech N9ne has been delivering his rapid-fire lyrics over a dark and twisted version of hip hop since 1999. After nearly twenty years of solid releases, Tech N9ne returns with his twentieth release, Planets. First single, “Don’t Nobody Want None”, drops the twisted darkness and delves straight into the classic 80s scene, sounding like a blend of Tech N9ne and Debbie Deb. Throughout the rest of the album you get exactly what you’d expect… Tech’s rapid-fire delivery, multi-faceted, twisted hip hop, and a slew of guest appearances. The difference is Planet is delivered with more conviction than anything he’s done since All 6’s and 7’s  back in 2011.

“Don’t Nobody Want None”:

– Full List of Releases: March 2, 2018 –

Andrew W.K.: You’re Not Alone
Genre: Rock/Metal // Label: Sony Music

Check out our Contributor Review of You’re Not Alone.
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Anna Von Hausswolff: Dead Magic
Genre: Experimental/Dream Pop // Label: City Slang

Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of February 23, 2018.  Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors.  As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the art work so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.

Featured Release

Cabal: Mark of Rot
Genre: Blackened Death Metal/Djent // Label: Long Branch Records

Background:

Cabal is an upcoming band from Copenhagen, Denmark. Their sound is like a marriage between Meshuggah and Ulcerate with black metal synths. Mark of Rot succeeds because it manages to blend the varying influences into one seamless sound that mixes rhythmic riffs that are huge in sound with an oppressive atmosphere that transitions between black metal and industrial influences. The vocals, too, run the scope from guttural death metal to black metal shrieks.

“Blackened Soil”:

– Full List of Releases: February 23, 2018 –

All The Luck In The World: A Blind Arcade
Genre: Folk // Label: Self-Released

Check out our Staff Review courtesy of SowingSeason.
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Avslut: Deceptis
Genre: Black Metal // Label: Osmose Productions
Stream Deceptis here.
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Cabal: Mark of Rot
Genre: Blackened Death Metal/Djent // Label: Long Branch Records

Check out our Contributor Review of Mark of Rot.

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Caroline Rose: Loner
Genre: Indie Folk/Pop // Label: New West Records…