On their long-awaited sixth studio album Strangers to Ourselves, Modest Mouse demonstrate that they aren't afraid of experimenting in their veteran years while still delivering an album that will go down in history as a classic.

The boundary-busting "prog-grass" quintet have put together a timeless collection of songs that not only show off their musical chops, but comprise a concept album with something to say about our times.

Brandi Carlile, along with her musical collaborators Tim and Phil Hanseroth, have released what might be Brandi's most rockin' album to date. Read Bill DeVille's review.

Much like the 'Die Hard' quadrilogy, you don't have to be well-versed in Sleater-Kinney's previous work to be able to understand and adore their latest offering, 'No Cities to Love'. In fact, the new record might be one of the best entry points for new fans that the band has ever recorded.

'Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance' is another strong collection of songs from one of the world's strongest bands; the only diminished area of strength is as an album per se. Fortunately, the band decided to release a deluxe edition, creating an entirely new and vastly more fulfilling experience. Read Mac Wilson's review.

The second album Josh Tillman has released under the moniker Father John Misty is a concept record on life and love, "And it's the darkest collection of love songs I've ever heard," writes Jill Riley. Read Jill's complete review.

Bjork has described 'Vulnicura' as an account of pain that simply had to be given expression. Such a statement may be thought grandiose if spoken by a lesser artist; for Bjork, however, it rings as completely genuine. This is an artist who may have earned a position as musical spokesperson for humanity to the universe.

Working the independent, underground rap game as tirelessly as Doomtree does requires constant effort and constant output, and you can hardly knock the crew for stepping up to the plate to smack another album into the outfield. All Hands is a fine album, and plenty of these songs are sure to endure in the live setting.

On their seventh album, The Decemberists continue their trajectory away from the fictive, toward the personal. This album delivers more inquiry into the human condition while retaining some of the band's trademark whimsy.

Catfish and the Bottlemen are a quintessential guitar-driven, modern-rock band who make modern rock exciting again. Their debut album, 'The Balcony', reveals the same confidence heard in their live performances.