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Songhoy Blues  Optimisme

A record that punches as hard as an early AC/DC album, but is still as danceable as a Rick James cut Loud And Quiet

Kevin Morby  Sundowner

On Sundowner, Morby’s storytelling isn’t just the album’s centerpiece – it’s an overcompensation Beats Per Minute

Gorillaz  Song Machine, Season One: Strange

The English troupe’s latest project is as sundry, vibrant, playful, and superficial as you’d expect Consequence Of Sound

Beabadoobee  Fake It Flowers

Beabadoobee follows in the footsteps of a wave of female artists who have mined ’90s rock in recent years (see: Soccer Mommy, Snail Mail, and Clairo) but Fake It Flowers plays out on a grander scale to her predecessors Under The Radar

Beabadoobee  Fake It Flowers

London songwriter Bea Kristi recalls vintage guitar sounds and finds her own unique voice on her debut LP Rolling Stone

Bruce Springsteen  Letter to You

The album has all the familiar hallmarks of the E Street Band’s signature sound Slant Magazine

Matt Berninger  Serpentine Prison

The National frontman’s solo debut unwinds the nervous energy in favor of something more laid-back. The music is gorgeous and unfussy, but his performances and lyrics feel nondescript Pitchfork

Beabadoobee  Fake It Flowers

Inspired by rom-coms and Kimya Dawson, Gen Z songwriter Bea Kristi uses the slanted melodies and flannel-loving aesthetics of ’90s alternative rock in service of massive pop hooks Pitchfork

Songhoy Blues  Optimisme

Both the funk stomper Bon Bon and the highlife inspired Fey Fey feature jumpy guitar signatures that John Frusciante would be proud of, and the tracks Bare and Korfo foam and twist like dust storms carried across the breeze music OMH

Songhoy Blues  Optimisme

It's an adrenalin rush to experience rather than listen to, and the 11 tracks are over too soon. Print edition only Mojo

Songhoy Blues  Optimisme

At times it hits harder and heavier than anything they've attempted before. Print edition only Uncut

Songhoy Blues  Optimisme

Optimisme deals in the same joyous protest music Songhoy Blues are known for, only now bolstered with a grit that matches the multi-lingual lyrics. “Don’t worry/You’re going to be happy/Keep fighting today/That smile will come one day”. Optimisme indeed Record Collector

Bruce Springsteen  Letter to You

The first album since perhaps Born In The USA where a truly collaborative spirit has fuelled the creative process music OMH

Open Mike Eagle  Anime, Trauma And Divorce

The US rapper can be exceptionally proud of this album, fantastic tracks, and brilliant beats can be heard throughout and a high platform has now been set for the future as he has absolutely nailed it with Anime, Trauma and Divorce Vinyl Chapters

Autechre  Sign

On SIGN, the duo continue to beguile and confound, still frequently eliciting thoughts of ‘How did they even make this?’ That it’s also their most flat-out gorgeous album in ages is a satisfying bonus Beats Per Minute