Here’s a rundown of the essential albums available online and in record stores today:

Sonic Youth, The Eternal
Punk’s crafty parental unit puts heads to bed.
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Mos Def, The Ecstatic
Wayward raptor kindly rewinds to what he does best.
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Deerhunter, Rainwater Cassette Exchange
Shapeshifting sketches of intoxication and collapse.
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Dirty Projectors, Bitte Orca
Overwrought indie geekery finally opens up a window.
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Joan of Arc, Flowers
Abstract rock aesthetes explore the inexplicable.
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Black Eyed Peas, The E.N.D.
Boom boom pow, blah blah blah, ka-ching.
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Little Boots, Illuminations
British synth nymphet concocts neo-disco coup.
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Busdriver, Jhelli Beam
Riding this bus really requires a translator.
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Kasabian, West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum
Festival-roiling blokes revise glam makeover.
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Miike Snow, Miike Snow
Behind the curtain of the bubblegum factory.
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Todd Snider, The Excitement Plan
Alt-country contrarian brandishes wit and heart.
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Placebo, Battle for the Sun
Brit gender benders amp up brawny makeover.
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Freeland, Cope™
All aging DJs apparently crave a hot pickup band.
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Peter Holsapple and Chris Stamey, hERE aND nOW
Reunited power poppers summon melodic magic.
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Rhett Miller, Rhett Miller
Witty student of love inexplicably slacks off.
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More on SPIN.com:
>> Album Preview: Sonic Youth’s ‘The Eternal’
>> Mos Def and Talib Kweli Reunite as Black Star
>> Review: Deerhunter, Microcastle (Kranky)
>> Bjork, Dirty Projectors Play Secret Show in NYC
>> Review: Joan of Arc, Boo! Human (Polyvinyl)
>> Review: Busdriver, RoadkillOvercoat (Anti-/Epitaph)
>> Kaiser Chiefs Vs. Kasabian
>> Review: Todd Snider, Peace Queer (Aimless)
>> Placebo, Even with ‘Meds,’ Still Got It