Sophomore releases can be hard on bands, there's a reason that the cliche 'sophomore slump' exists. Wolf Alice faces the pressure with an aggressive ferocity showing off their sonic range and dig into darker topics on 'Visions of a Life'.

Robert Plant's writing in 'Carry Fire' is spot on. He deals with romance in a non-cliched way, and the process of aging and sharing of wisdom while struggling to understand the geo-political mess that we're in right now.

Like a journal entry at the end of a long night out, the writing on Bully's 'Losing' carries a rare authenticity that leaves you feeling as if you lived a moment in Alicia Bognanno's life.

On 'Lotta Sea Lice', Courtney and Kurt accomplish what so many musicians fail at by seeing each other's strengths and letting themselves shine on each of the songs.

Annie Clark is back with her fifth studio album as St. Vincent. 'Massedution' was co-produced with Jack Antonoff, and was released on Loma Vista Recordings.

If Beck's goal was a collection of danceable, accessible pop songs, it only really takes one listen of 'Colors' to hear that he succeeded. The songs are layered, complex, but have strong hooks and a polished production.

With 'Beast Epic,' an organic and earthy folk album, Sam Beam aka Iron & Wine appears to be back to what he is best at.

The ninth studio album from Foo Fighters, 'Concrete and Gold,' is mostly more of the kind of catchy riffage we've come to expect from the Foo Fighters for more than 20 years now. And it works.

Grizzly Bear return with their fifth studio album 'Painted Ruins' out on RCA Records.

The National return with their seventh studio album 'Sleep Well Beast' out on 4AD.