For me, their talent jumps out of the radio no matter which song off this album that we play. But the true pleasure of this band is found in sitting with the whole album and giving it a deep listen. It rewards your presence -- it is real and authentic.

It's been two years since Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros put out their last album "Up From Below" and had the hit song of the year with "Home." Since that time, the collective has gained several new members, toured all over the world and now have a new album, "Here."

Local music notes from the week of May 21-25

Read about and download his new track "Dallas, Tokyo"

JT Bates, James Buckley, Jacqueline Ultan, and Bryan Nichols reflect on playing many different styles

We'll check in from time to time as singer-songwriter Neko Case creates the follow-up to her 2009 album Middle Cyclone. In the first installment, we listen in to a song that's not quite finished, not quite recorded, not even quite written.

M. Ward has been extremely busy the past few years: recording and touring with several side projects like She and Him and Monsters of Folk, producing bands and putting out two solo records. Somehow he's remained calm and thoughtful through it all and has been able to balance his life. This introspection and calm resonates in his latest album "A Wasteland Companion," with Ward's smoky voice covering topics of love and loss.

Now in its fifth year, Soundset is easily one of the largest and most consistent festivals in the Twin Cities, on par with high-drawing events like We Fest. And yet for all of Rhymesayers’ heft in Minnesota, it’s easy to forget that there are still many, many people in our fair state that have no…

Watch video recaps and read Dessa's perspective of being on the road

After some worry last year that the Stone Arch Festival of the Arts would end its run on St. Anthony Main following the death of its founder, Ira Heilicher, the event has been picked up by a new owner and will return this year as the Stone Arch Bridge Festival.  “Father’s Day weekend in Minneapolis…