The Upper Air by Fred Baty (Review) These eight songs are effortlessly pretty, weaving delicate guitar melodies together with dreamy atmospherics. Sep 23, 2022 Music
LN’s Monkeys & Spoons Is a Masterpiece of Mood and Atmosphere (Review) LN’s first album in almost a decade uses haunting lyrics and arrangements to explore loss and sorrow. Aug 5, 2022 Music
Promise by SUSS (Review) The New York outfit’s music conjures up wide-open spaces and desert vistas perfect for a pandemic-inspired getaway. Oct 17, 2020 Music
We Were Never Here by Epic45 (Review) The duo’s latest collection of nostalgia-soaked songs contains some of their most abstract and affecting music to date. May 20, 2020 Music
Cave Vaults on the Moon in New Mexico by Tan Cologne (Review) This is music for ambling through wide open spaces that aren’t encumbered by the detritus of urban sprawl. Feb 16, 2020 Music
Phantom Lights by Memory Drawings (Review) Hanson’s dulcimer often takes the lead in these songs, but in ways that are consistently beguiling. Dec 10, 2019 Music
Heavy Age by Unwed Sailor (Review) Johnathon Ford’s instrumental rock outfit enters its third decade with its heaviest and most assured album to date. May 4, 2019 Music
The Appearances by Ester Drang (Review) The band’s first release in a dozen years boasts a heavier, more expansive sound. Nov 21, 2018 Music
Low Tear Their Music Apart on Double Negative, with Stunning Results (Review) Some of the most challenging music of Low’s career, but also some of the most daring, intriguing, and rewarding. Sep 23, 2018 Best of Opus Music
Cloakroom’s Time Well Is an Otherworldly Blend of Shoegaze Bliss & Metal Riffs (Review) These songs move in directions that are more interesting than the simple “shoegaze + metal” equation implies. Sep 2, 2017 Music
Take a Minute by Unwed Sailor (Review) Unwed Sailor’s latest EP is particularly ambitious in scope and sonic diversity. May 10, 2017 Music
On Monumenta, Valerinne’s Fiery Post-Rock Will Destroy You, in a Good Way (Review) The Romanian trio will beat you down one massive riff at a time, but they’ll also build you back up, stronger than before. Mar 6, 2017 Music
Grails’ Chalice Hymnal Blends Numerous Genres to Create Cinematic Soundscapes (Review) Post-rock, electronic music, film scores, modern classical, and jazz figure into Grails’ graceful, sublime music. Mar 2, 2017 Music
Settlers by Western Skies Motel (Review) Leave it to a guy from Denmark to compose the perfect soundtrack for driving across the Nebraska prairie. Apr 23, 2016 Music
Oh! by The Big Eyes Family Players (Review) A chilled, challenging psychedelic album that will reward the patient listener. Mar 31, 2016 Music
There is No Perfect Place by Memory Drawings (Review) The sort of meandering instrumental music that makes you yearn for autumn to paint the leaves and bring a sharp edge to the air. Oct 4, 2014 Music
Sanctuary by Infinity Shred (Review) If you’re expecting subtlety and restraint from a band calling themselves Infinity Shred, then you’ve got another thing coming. Sep 26, 2013 Music
Kveikur by Sigur Rós (Review) Kveikur makes me feel like I’m listening to Sigur Rós for the first thrilling time, and after nearly fifteen years, that’s a true pleasure. Jul 15, 2013 Music
Life Has Not Finished With Me Yet by Piano Magic (Review) Their despair was once captivating and even invigorating but now it just feels like they’re taking the piss out of folks. Oct 22, 2012 Music
Soft Wounds by Songs of Green Pheasant (Review) Duncan Sumpner’s first album in five years proves just as beguiling as his earlier releases. Sep 3, 2012 Music