The Drive-By Truckers are an outspoken Southern band with progressive ideas, and with their latest record, they show they're not afraid to to let you know their feelings about inequality, racism, gun violence and police brutality. 'American Band' is being called their most political album to date; it's timely and most certainly a protest record.

While it's fair to say that '22, A Million' is experimental in nature, it is still, at its core, a Bon Iver record. There are quiet, heart-rending moments, there are epic moments, and one of the album's defining characteristics is that it rewards repeat listens.

Will Toledo's Matador Records debut exhibits a rugged individualism underneath a preppy swagger that comes through on songs that are completely unapologetic. The album invokes a DIY aesthetic reminiscent of the early '90s, without being contrived or overtly trying to sound like grunge.

The Head and the Heart moved away from 'folksiness' to embrace a bigger, bolder musical vision -- one filled with louder guitars, heavier rhythms and bigger arrangements, all encased in gorgeous vocal harmonies that evoke artists like Lucius, the Staves, and classic artists like Crosby Stills and Nash, and Fleetwood Mac.

Wilco have become as unpredictable as Neil Young; you never know what's next musically. On their latest album, 'Schmilco', Wilco bring a spare, almost 'unplugged' set of songs. Wilco have been a steady unit for more than a decade, and they are firing on all cylinders.

Glass Animals' frontman Dave Bayley created characters from little snippets of stories he was hearing from people he's encountered on tour. The result is an album of songs based on those stories.

'I'm Alone, No You're Not' could be considered the debut from one of the year's most promising acts. Although it's not Joseph's first album, it's a musical statement that the sister trio from Portland, Ore., have found their voices as songwriters and performers.

'Fishing Blues,' Atmosphere's ninth album in 18 years, features Ant's solid production that provides grounding beats for Slug, who may be more than confessional than ever on some of these tracks.

Aaron and Bryce Dessner of the National have curated a gargantuan new collection spotlighting the music of the Grateful Dead. The collection includes contributions from the War on Drugs, the National, and Courtney Barnett.

Our Album of the Week is Haley Bonar's 'Impossible Dream,' releasing Friday, Aug., 5, on GNDWIRE Records. Brian Oake describes the album as 'a shimmering, reflective collection of memories and faded dreams' likely to end up on many of the year's best-of lists.