Although he could probably walk away from music after the success of 'Once,' Glen Hansard obviously enjoys making music. And on his second solo album, 'Didn't He Ramble,' Hansard shows that he is just plain good at it.

The latest collection of Bob Dylan's unreleased rehearsals, demos and alternate takes expose the DNA of an artist who made a conscious decision to throw caution to the wind and defy what the music world wanted him to be as a political folk singer, ultimately propelling Dylan into bigger success and into the mainstream.

Longtime friends Matt Berninger of The National and Brent Knopf of Menomena fulfill a promise they made with the release of their collaborative effort, EL VY, 'Return to the Moon.' The combination of Matt's baritone and Brent's dance-floor ready beats creates a dissonance that is hypnotic and otherworldly.

Seeking to expand his horizons and his reach, Nathaniel Rateliff connected with full-blown horn section the Night Sweats. The result is a rousing, energetic and catchy new record that fits firmly in the Stax Records catalogue.

Kurt Vile's sixth studio album shows Vile's evolution as an artist and his exploration of his identity as a songwriter. The album showcases a mix of Vile's serious and silly sides, providing a signpost in a career of an indie-rock underdog who has found success by trying hard to not try hard.

Chvrches' second album defines modern synth pop. Unafraid to embrace the pop sounds of the '80s, the Glasgow trio give us a glimpse of the future of dance music.

'Caracal' is a production masterpiece featuring some of the best contemporary voices of 2015. It works as an album and is more listenable than most rock albums out this year.

When Buddy Guy named Gary Clark Jr as the potential savior of the blues, that had to create some pressure. Clark's follow-up to his critically acclaimed 2012 debut took three years, and the result displays Clark's blues influences as well as his other inspirations. 'The Story of Sonny Boy Slim' is in fact, the story of Gary Clark Jr. And it's a very good read.

The Current's Andrea Swensson has no qualms about declaring Low's 11th album one of the finest in the band's 22-year career. 'This is an album that cracks and sizzles, bursting with an electric energy,' Swensson writes.

While some artists use the "side project" as an excuse to fly far from the nest, Dan Auerbach's new band The Arcs' release 'Yours, Dreamily' doesn't stray from the style that has made Auerbach one of the most successful rockers of the last decade.