Bright Eyes’ 2005 Albums Speak to Our Individual and Collective Discontent
Bright Eyes brought their expansive and messy vision to life 20 years ago with two albums that captivated listeners then as they surely will now.
electropop
Saint Etienne Delve Into Ambient on the Bold ‘The Night’
Saint Etienne follow their creative intuition. The ambient music of The Night is a fascinating turn in their ever-adventurous discography.
Alice Ivy’s New Music Is Gorgeous with Organic Sounds
In trading sample-packs for organic instruments and whistles, Australia’s Alice Ivy returns after four years with an album that moves out of the clubs and into real stardom.
Kylie Minogue’s Sequel to ‘Tension’ Is a Worthy Follow-Up
On her 17th studio album, Kylie Minogue once again proves that few of her peers or followers understand the art of light dance-pop as well as she does.
Halsey Reveals Her Truest Self Through Impersonation
Halsey’s The Great Impersonator reimagines her career throughout the decades, displaying a conceptual artist at the top of her game. A masterclass in honesty.
Eli & Fur’s ‘Dreamscapes’ Casts a Low-Lit Spell
Built on pulsating beats, minimalist synth touches, and immaculate sound design, British EDM duo Eli & Fur’s Dreamscapes casts a low-lit, wee-hours spell.
Alison Moyet Gives Her Greatest Hits a Winning Makeover
Alison Moyet’s approach to her oeuvre is to treat her old songs like a new batch of tunes, divorced from any baggage or expectations.
Kelly Lee Owens trades Brat Summer for Dreamstate Autumn
DJ, singer, and producer Kelly Lee Owens takes the opposite path from Charli XCX, yet meets her at the crossroads of pop and electronic music on Dreamstate.
Jamie xx Arrives Fashionably Late with ‘In Waves’
Nearly a decade after his debut, Jamie xx returns with a long-awaited sophomore LP that stylishly swells and retreats with danceable beats and moody romanticism.
Swiss Duo Citron Citron Make Minimalist Art Pop on ‘Maréeternelle’
Citron Citron’s Maréeternelle is accessible avant-garde pop still edging toward highbrow. It highlights the ultramodern sounds coming from Geneva’s underground.
Ionnalee’s Bilingual Gambit to Hear the End of Every Song
Ionnalee has electronic LPs under multiple monikers, but she uncovers her full songwriting prowess by dropping a double-album split between English and Swedish.
Susanna Distills Life with ‘Meditations on Love’
Norway’s Susanna aims to distill the world and bring it down to a set of uncomfortable truths on this album. Love will tear us apart again and again.