Camera Obscura Find That Life Goes On No Matter the Direction
Earlier, Camera Obscura contrasted their mocking pessimism of adult life with innocence. The group may still be twee, but their sneer has become more of a frown.
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Ibibio Sound Machine Elevate Their Sound on ‘Pull the Rope’
Ibibio Sound Machine have gone from exciting transcontinental party upstarts to a soulful, sophisticated phenomenon. Pull the Rope is a refreshing new chapter.
Superchunk’s ‘Foolish’ Is Genre-Defining Indie Heartbreak
Foolish was Superchunk committing to staying indie amid turmoil, and the scene is better for it. Their discography is filled with iconic singles defining American indie rock.
Rosali’s ‘Bite Down’ Sounds Classic
Rosali’s Bite Down is a deceptively smooth ride that threatens to pull you under at any moment. Its classic sound draws from Fleetwood Mac and 1970s music.
Mary Timony Explores Grief with Clear Eyes on ‘Untame the Tiger’
Rock guitar virtuoso Mary Timony’s Untame the Tiger is a clear–eyed, unsentimental, top-shelf record that emerged during hard times.
Torres’ ‘What an Enormous Room’ Shows 12 Years Is Enough
Torres’ new LP cements her position as an iconic musician and signifies a final breakthrough into the stratosphere of musical history.
Superchunk Document Their Late Style on ‘Misfits & Mistakes’
Superchunk’s Misfits & Mistakes is a fascinating glimpse of them trying new things while reaffirming their signature contributions to the indie rock canon.
Hiss Golden Messenger Find Reasons to ‘Jump for Joy’
Hiss Golden Messenger’s Jump for Joy switches up the mood considerably, offering a bouncy set of tracks of youthful enthusiasm and maturing gratitude.
The Clientele Compose Their Masterpiece With ‘I Am Not There Anymore’
In this extensive interview, The Clientele’s Alasdair MacLean discusses the indie band’s new masterpiece, I Am Not There Anymore, and their lengthy career.
Wye Oak Reinvent Themselves (Again) on ‘Every Day Like the Last’
Wye Oak speak to PopMatters about their experiment-or-die perspective and what it means to make music at their stage of career and life more generally.
The New Pornographers Embrace Mid-Career with ‘Continue As a Guest’
After delaying comeback tours and moving labels, power pop icons the New Pornographers could’ve gone anywhere. Instead, A. C. Newman found a new sense of peace.
Fruit Bats Rest Easy on ‘A River Running to Your Heart’
At their best, Fruit Bats tap into the SoCal world and song tradition of Joni Mitchell, Aimee Mann, and Warren Zevon. This LP has a few of these moments.