Breakthrough Record Reviews

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Jaguar Sun // This Empty Town

Jaguar Sun // This Empty Town

These days, it’s hard to think that many records sound purely elemental – so much of what makes a hit today is built on a sample of a sample, or lifted from a half-remembered chorus of a song of ye...

Charlotte Cardin // Phoenix

Charlotte Cardin // Phoenix

Charlotte Cardin is a powerhouse. This is the most succinct and clear way to put it. On her debut album, Phoenix, she rises like one. It’s a collection of supreme vocal performances and drippy, sy...

Bartees Strange // Live Forever

Bartees Strange // Live Forever

A little over two years ago, I was speaking with someone who toured with Bartees Strange, who at that point was an unknown. His tourmate said, blankly, “he’s going to be huge”. I didn’t know that ...

Arlo Parks // Collapsed In Sunbeams

Arlo Parks // Collapsed In Sunbeams

There’s nothing that sounds like Arlo Parks debut – nothing. Collapsed in Sunbeams is a singular, a body of work that is a mélange of styles, bridged together to sound like something brand new. Th...

Anjimile // Giver Taker

Anjimile // Giver Taker

Debut albums are sometimes a great peek into an artist’s possibility, but few ever show the true breadth of one’s ability. Giver Taker, the first album from Boston-based Anjimile is one of those. I...

Maya Hawke // Blush

Maya Hawke // Blush

There’s a good chance you’re familiar with Maya Hawke, but might just not be aware of it. The 22-year-old New York City native is not only known for her debut record, Blush, but also for appearing ...

Beach Bunny // Honeymoon

Beach Bunny // Honeymoon

Beach Bunny is an awesome, if not peculiar name for a band from Chicago. As a resident myself in flyover country’s most prominent city, there are a lot of great beaches on the city’s lakefront that...