Here’s a rundown of the essential albums available online and in record stores today:
Mastodon, Crack the Skye
Southern metal brutalists invoke sweet oblivion.
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The Decemberists, The Hazards of Love
The Decemberists go for baroque with showy foray into musical theater.
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Dan Deacon, Bromst
Off-the-grid scamp turns playfully serious composer.
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Peter Doherty, Grace/Wastelands
U.K.’s wasted bard returns to the land of the living.
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Royksopp, Junior
Cool Norwegians turn on the Technicolor.
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Swan Lake, Enemy Mine
Songwriting trio pass the mic with deft abandon.
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Fever Ray, Fever Ray
Swedish enigmas’ sisterly half gets even eerier.
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Amadou & Mariam, Welcome to Mali
West African twosome get thrillingly eclectic.
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MSTRKRFT, Fist of God
Daft digi-punks greatly expand their guest list.
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The Vines, Melodia
Aussie rockers revived, no more highly evolved.
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Jeremy Jay, Slow Dance
Incurable romantic? Aspiring serial killer? Both?
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1990s, Kicks
Sense of humor betrays Scottish indie-pop jester.
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Jim Jones, Pray IV Reign
Diplomats capo angles to crash the hip-hop hierarchy.
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Condo Fucks, Fuckbook
Canny rock archivists stock cooler, press play.
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