Issue 116

Half Free is a pop album with undeniable bite. Under her stage pseudonym U.S. Girls, Meg Remy laces each sunshine-filled backing track with undertones of brokenness and bitterness. Read more.

twelvefour is a rare breed: a triumphant sophomore album that expands on The Paper Kites’ sound without selling out. It’s a beautiful experiment of tightly-written and gorgeously-recorded music. Read more.

Adore Life doesn’t try to outdo Savages’ first record, but instead dares to experiment. The band uses the album not to get louder, but to get more intimate, making a fearless record that defies all our expectations. Read more.

Chicago Style is, almost without a doubt, the best record from The O’My’s. The record sees the group embracing Chicago’s musical roots and putting out a record that sounds like a dirtier, more hip hop-influenced Alabama Shakes. The soul goes deep here. Read more.

Shlomo’s Dark Red is an unusually dark electronic album. It’s not something you can dance or party to, but with its emotional core comes an unusual depth for its genre. Read more.