Against Me!, Transgender Dysphoria Blues
A devastatingly honest and challenging listen. Think Japandroids but with something to say. The only album in a long time I would dare call important. (Helpful history) Favorites: Transgender Dysphoria Blues, True Trans Soul Rebel
AJ Dávila, Terror Amor
A crass, bravado-driven Latin rock album served with a pinch of doo-wop soul. Favorites: Ya Sé, Es Verano Ya
Caribou, Our Love
Dan Snaith does it again with this slow-burner of a dance/pop record. We’ve all seen time-lapse video of flowers opening for spring. Now we’ve heard it. Favorites: Can’t Do Without You, Dive
D’Angelo and The Vanguard, Black Messiah
A timely return for D’Angelo and some of the most chewy-delicious vocals I’ve ever heard. Favorites: Till It’s Done (Tutu), Another Life
Deerhoof, La Isla Bonita
I always thought that eventually I wouldn’t need new bands, that the bands I loved would keep making music and I would keep loving it. This has proven true for very few groups (Caribou is one, Spoon another). And here is yet another collection of wonderfully twisted guitar pop nuggets ranging from the ANIMAL SMASH variety to the more noodley odyssean type. Always sounding uniquely themselves. Favorites: Exit Only, Mirror Monster
Mac Demarco, Salad Days
Another cache of tuneful albeit crooked jams. “Let Her Go” could be his best song to date. Favorites: Let Her Go, Blue Boy
Spoon, They Want My Soul
The most consistent rock band on the planet. Favorites: Rent I Pay, Do You
St. Vincent, Digital Witness
While the live show alienated me a bit from the Annie Clark I loved, that was the point of the expressionless Clark’s newest dare all along: to shed too much light on our modern acts of performance. Favorites: Birth In Reverse, Prince Johnny
aaronthewk 