On the Vancouver songwriter's fourth album, he plays with abrupt changes of tone and texture. Carefully conceived instrumental passages expand upon -- and sometimes upend -- his lyrics. Listen to the album before its Jan. 13 release date.

While performing at the nonprofit organization Youthprize as part of The Current's Coffee Break on the Road series, Thao Nguyen captures something of the holiday spirit with an original song about gift cards. The chorus is, ""I give you a gift card of the exact amount of the gift card you gifted me." Listen to the whole song.

Watch the singer and rapper perform "Skeleton Key" and "The Good Fight" with the VocalEssence choir.

With the holidays upon us, many of us at The Current are looking forward to seeing our families, especially our brothers and sisters, which had us thinking about all the great sibling bands. We are family.

The host of Transmission, Jake Rudh, provides a playlist of some of his favorite holiday jams as nice alternatives to the seasonal norm. Just don't ask him for any help explaining what a Cocteau Twin is to Grandma.

Ahead of Interpol's sold out show in the First Avenue mainroom on Nov. 14, Sam Fogarino and Daniel Kessler of the band came by The Current studios to record a Theft of the Dial with host Barb Abney.

Stream Hippo Campus' debut EP Bashful Creatures.

Every Monday at 10 p.m. The Current's Music Director David Safar guides you through an hour of music discovery. David wants to know: what do you think of the latest singles from Cultfever, Niia and Wiley? Have a listen, then give them either a thumbs up or thumbs down!

The Roxy Music singer channels his classic work while still sounding fresh. Ferry's sound remains full, clear and direct, with intricate layers of instruments shifting in and out of focus.

Jill Riley recently returned from her fourth visit to the Music City — Nashville, Tenn. Check out Jill's list of must-see places to go.