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Tate McRae  So Close To What

Tate McRae’s well-crafted third album, So Close to What, cements her as a pop mainstay, but leaves the future unclear PopMatters

The Waterboys  Life, Death, & Dennis Hopper

There is so much to unpack here across a myriad of styles from jazz to folk and blues but it all seems to fit the subject at its heart, Dennis Hopper. It may not all work but when it does it is mesmerising Clash

The Waterboys  Life, Death, & Dennis Hopper

Mike Scott has made a 25-track album covering the cult actor’s life, and there’s even a song for each of his five wives. You may want to keep his Wiki open musicOMH

Black Country, New Road  Forever Howlong

After losing their frontman, the band’s third studio album shows how resilient and adaptable they are, with luscious melodies, fantastical lyrics and lots of recorders The Guardian

Alison Krauss and Union Station  Arcadia

Russell Moore steps in for Dan Tyminski on the bluegrass band’s first new album in 14 years. On these songs, Krauss sounds ageless and the musicians around her are clearly enjoying themselves Paste Magazine

Alison Krauss and Union Station  Arcadia

The bluegrass star and band reconvene with a new co-vocalist on this slick yet understated set drawing on old-time roots and more recent concerns The Observer

Alison Krauss and Union Station  Arcadia

Sometimes all you need is the sound of old friends reuniting to perform some expertly played music musicOMH

Alison Krauss and Union Station  Arcadia

Arcadia is a long-awaited return for Krauss and Union Station; here they reframe American traditional music in a context informed by modern production aesthetics, yet still sound kinetic and completely organic All Music

Alison Krauss and Union Station  Arcadia

As ever, the sonic palette is richly clean, the harmonies stacked, and Jerry Douglas’s dobro an empathetic, keening presence in constant dialogue with the singers, now the dominant solo instrument in the ensemble. Print edition only Mojo

Alison Krauss and Union Station  Arcadia

Airy arrangements, wonderfully agile musicianship, songs pooled from numerous sources into flowing ensemble pieces. Print edition only Uncut

Black Country, New Road  Forever Howlong

Brims with youth, wisdom, and courage Northern Transmissions

Black Country, New Road  Forever Howlong

A jubilant rebirth DIY

Black Country, New Road  Forever Howlong

Songcraft conventions - choruses, recurring riffs - are daringly absent. On repeat listens, though, the meandering strands - from the dreamy acoustica of "Two Horses" and choral harmonies on "Mary" to the Philip Glass-like horns of "Nancy Takes The Night" - begin to stick, aided by frequently arresting lyrics. Print edition only Uncut

Black Country, New Road  Forever Howlong

A remarkably unified - and gloriously intriguing - piece of work. Print edition only Mojo

Black Country, New Road  Forever Howlong

Like the queen of the night, it fans wide and confident; its petals may fall back to earth quickly before dawn, but its essence lingers. The same flower, transformed but unmistakably familiar, will greet eyes, though briefly, once again Exclaim