On her fifth studio album, 'Short Movie', Laura Marling has begun a new chapter in her life and her songwriting. It's hard to label Marling a folk artist now that she's picked up an electric guitar and started a band, but David Safar says 'Short Movie' is "the best album of her young career."

Although alternative pop music is a breeding ground for bands aspiring to commercial success on the strength of a single track, Matt and Kim cast aside that formula to create a full-length album that shares the more honest side of their music.

The latest album from Death Cab for Cutie continues the recent trend of alternative artists who explore the sonic depths of the 1980s. The result is a very enjoyable record. 'Kintsugi' releases on March 31.

Fresh off a triumphant run at this year's South by Southwest, Courtney Barnett delivers the best debut of the year.

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.