Americana is a collection of comfortable rock ‘n’ roll songs detailing Ray Davies’ relationship with, and travels across, America. When he does satire it’s too safe and detached (see “The Deal”), though all the songs are pleasant enough.

Tara Jane O’Neil’s new self-titled LP is a simple, stately singer/songwriter affair, and among her least experimental output to date.

Although its creator describes this new record as “an ecstatic work of negativity,” it is always a positive thing when a new Robyn Hitchcock album appears in the universe.

It’s been three years since Little Dragon blessed the scene with an album, 2014’s Nabuma Rubberband, and honestly, it has felt like much longer. The brilliant Swedish indietronica group’s presence in the world of sexy night out, fashionista club grooves has always provided a sophistication to its extravagance that has been sorely missed.

We are familiar with the nostalgic bulbousness of Timber Timbre, the weeping willows’ long tentacles waving high above our heads creating a stage for front porch cracklers crafted from the wafts of simpler times.

August By Cake is Robert Pollard’s 100th album, and a double album to boot. Not only that but a great double album. It’s amazing how Pollard still manages to mine new ground in the classic rock and pop vein, here big on the ‘70s, without simply rehashing old material.

It’s normal for precocious young talent to first emulate those who have inspired them to follow in their footsteps.

Diet Cig‘s candidness is enthralling. Like their 2015 EP Over Easy, the New York duo’s debut full-length album Swear I’m Good At This is loud, blunt, and totally fun.

Buzz has long been building around London four-piece The Big Moon, and their debut demonstrates it wasn’t misplaced enthusiasm. The album starts already revved up, the all-female band led by Juliette Jackson flying straight into 2015 single “Sucker,” the first of a dozen sculpted tracks.