Luvcat . . . 9
Vicious Delicious
AWAL
Producer: Oli Barton-Wood
A star is truly born. Liverpool-born British singer, musician, and songwriter Luvcat has released what is absolutely and undeniably one of the albums of the year. Vicious Delicious is a dark, glammy, jazzy, alt-pop masterpiece. There are elements of the likes of Raye and Amy Winehouse in there, glimpses of PJ Harvey and Lene Lovich too. But ultimately, the incredible title track, “Love & Money,” “Blushing,” and every other track on this record prove that she has a sound that’s very much her own. Incredible! - Brett Callwood
Wet Leg . . . 9
Moisturizer
Domino Recording Co. Ltd
Producer: Dan Carey
Moisturizer is only the second LP by the British indie-rockers, and boy, does it not show. “Catch These Fists” is a song Interpol could’ve made in their heyday— which, according to the mathematical transitive property, would imply that Wet Leg are peaking now in their own right. From start to finish, Moisturizer hits all the right notes, creating the classic conundrum of whether to fade out a song or turn off the music altogether if you’ve got somewhere to be. - Kurt Orzeck
I'm With Her . . . 9
Wild and Clear and Blue
Rounder Records
Producer: Josh Kaufman
With beautifully layered vocal harmonies that blossom and envelop you, supported by a smooth fiddle and folksy guitar, GRAMMY-winning folk trio I’m With Her doesn’t need a massive ensemble to make an impact. Instead, the group expertly toys with tension and tempo to leave a lasting impression. From start to finish, sophomore album Wild and Clear and Blue feels like standing in the morning sun with your toes in the grass. It’s refreshing and nostalgic, pulling at all the right heartstrings. I’m With Her creates pure magic. - Emily Mills
Warren Haynes Band . . . 9
Million Voices Whisper
Fantasy Records
Producer: Warren Haynes
The soulful, Southern-rock style pioneered by The Allman Brothers continues to flourish with former member Haynes. His whiskeyed vocals and soul-piercing guitar licks are as warm and sumptuous as a Georgian night in August. Soak up the righteousness of “You Ain’t Above Me” or the sprawling jazz of “Lies, Lies, Lies” and you’ll instantly agree. Meanwhile, the finishing track pays tribute to the player’s many influences. What more could you want? - Andy Kaufmann
Ute Lemper . . . 9
Pirate Jenny
The Audiophile Society
Producers: David Chesky, Ute Lemper
Master 1930s orchestral songwriter Kurt Weill has been covered by artists from Jim Morrison to Nick Cave (“Alabama Song”), to Bobby Darin (“Mack the Knife”), but few can cover his songs with the seductive flair like German-born Lemper. Her once-trademark striking crewcut has grown long, but her voice has remained smoky and sinuous. Producer David Chesky surrounds her arrangements with a dark dreaminess of crystal clarity. Sit back and let Lemper envelop you in a luxurious atmosphere of pure noir. - David Arnson
Herin . . . 9
Hiding in Plain Sight
The Laser’s Edge
Lil Wayne . . . 8
Tha Carter VI
Young Money/Republic
Doja Cat . . . 8
Vie
Kemosabe and RCA Records
The Wildhearts . . . 8
Satanic Rites of The Wildhearts
Snakefarm
Rico Nasty . . . 8
Lethal
Fueled By Ramen
Belinda Carlisle . . . 8
Once Upon a Time in California
Demon Music
GG Magree. . . 8
Spit Love
Rise Records/BMG
Amorphis . . . 8
Borderland
Reigning Phoenix Music
OK Go . . . 8
And the Adjacent Possible
2B Entertainment
Laura Jane Grace. . . 8
In the Trauma Tropes: Adventure Club
Polyvinyl Records
Alison Krauss. . . . 8
And Union Station: Acadia
Down the Road Records
Mavis Staples . . . 8
Sad and Beautiful World
Anti Records
Ghostface Killah . . 8
Supreme Clientele 2
Mass Appeal
Jesika Von Rabbit . . . 8
Bunnywood Babylon
Dionysus Records
Emer. . . 8
With the Emersion Ensemble: Concurrence
Camerata Records
