With her sophomore release, the Norwegian singer-songwriter is building her music into something more ambitious, and more exciting, and more idea-driven. It’s loud, charmingly brash and brimming with kick-ass guitar riffs and lyrical attitude while exploring themes like confidence, criticism, self-esteem, and vulnerability.
What A Devastating Turn Of Events dips into RachelChinouriri’s indie youth – you can hear aspects of Lily Allen’s pop subversion – while adding fresh aspects into the mix. Carefully finessed, it’s held together by that dulcet vocal, so affecting and true. Chinouriri’s assured approach speaks loud and clear.
Neil Young with Crazy Horse have played together for over 50 years and the performances of these songs is a true highlight of that long relationship. Neil: “In the spirit it’s offered…made this for the Horse lovers. I can’t stop it. The horse is runnin’. What a ride we have. I don’t want to mess with the vibe. I am so happy to have this to share.”
One of their best albums in years finds Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe harking back to their past in melancholic reflection. Like every previous Pet Shop Boys album, Nonetheless is clever, fun, and at times very touching. So let’s not worry too much about why Tennant and Lowe are still dancing – just be glad they are.
Reasonable Woman is so filled to the brim with pop perfection, it almost overwhelms with how effortless it is for her to craft such instantly connectable songs. The collection is everything Sia does best, and the sonic equivalent of a myriad of things: an empowering embrace, secrets told late at night, going to the best party in the world. Life, etc.
Room Under The Stars reflects where Zayn is in his life while exploring the complexities of healing, stillness and growth. It also sees the genre-bending artist explore a new sound, leaning into his soulful vocals, live instrumentation, and poetic lyricism as a songwriter. Produced by Grammy Award-winning Dave Cobb.
Composer, singer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Laufey continues her story with an expanded version of her 2023 critically celebrated and GRAMMY-winning album. The Goddess Edition features four brand-new original songs including lead single "Goddess" and includes dark blue vinyl, an updated booklet, and a custom board game.
In their most consistent album yet, the songs here are confident while still being enjoyably loose. The band’s classic country sound, accented with fiddle and mandolin throughout, is still at the core of their sound, but singer Benjamin Tod’s vocals have gotten stronger and his writing more confident in the decade-plus they’ve been playing together.
Hypocrite lands somewhere between Phoebe Bridgers and Alanis Morrissette as it looks for the best by reckoning with the worst, an album full of love and grace and compassion that aims to remind us that imperfection and humanity go hand in hand. The songs are serious, even painful at times, but they’re laced with humor and ultimately built to heal.
For over 40 years Mountain Stage has been one of the most prominent voices in both the promotion and celebration of roots music. This record showcases some of the most legendary performances from the show’s history, but also looks to the future and highlights a new generation of performers we’ll be celebrating for the next 40 years.
Nashville’s own synth-glam-rock-indie stalwart has created yet another striking collection of hyper pop, indie rock, 80s synths and angular guitars. With his trademark sardonic wit, Aaron Lee shares poignant self observations and reflections on the world at large, that are a clarion call and safe space for anyone who has been made to feel other.
Dive into the electrifying world of SiM, the Japanese genre-blenders infusing heavy with reggae punx. While most rock and metal bands adhere to convention, SiM boldly explores uncharted territory, breaking free from genre confines. Playdead’s diverse vocals and blend of manic breakdowns and dance beats offer an unbridled intensity like no other.
This record is the continuation of a project Adeem began four years ago, directing their attention both inwards & outwards simultaneously and to exact correlating values so that they might be able to unbind the inner workings of themself while imagining new tools for stitching the fabric of society together again. It mostly just made some gay people like country music again.
Previous albums have highlighted Crockett’s unique meld of the tragic, the wistful, and the satirical. With his 13th album, $10 Cowboy, he offers his most fully realized set. Occurring as a cross between Hank Williams, a low-key carnival announcer, and the Coen brothers’ Buster Scruggs, Crockett has perfected his craft: $10 Cowboy is a 2024 standout.
This record is a song cycle about the process of grief, moving thru the traditional five stages of Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance and welcoming the pain that accompanies each stage. Rather than deflecting or bottling it up, facing the pain head-on allows us to be more human with ourselves and each other.
Woven from the threads of devastating loss – the sudden passing of Shannon's fianceé – this record unfolds as the Clams' most introspective to date. With Dan Auerbach's production, the album delves deep into themes of heartache and healing, and showcases the band's trademark wry psychedelia, energetic nostalgia, and flourishes of retro beauty.
After more than two decades as a band, The Avett Brothers have stamped their own name on their 11th album. The album’s first single, “Love of a Girl,” is a return in some ways to their original form, too — raucous vocals, with harmonies in just the right places, over simple instrumentation. Here the guitars are electric, and the production is modern, but it’s a classic Avett Brothers theme: the agony and ecstasy of being in love.
The Coalition of Independent Music Stores (CIMS) is a national level organization comprised of the best independent record stores in America. CIMS was founded in 1995 with the goal of uniting like minded independent store owners, giving them a more powerful voice in the music industry. The stores that make up CIMS are all very different, but we share the same desires – to be the heart of our communities, to super-serve our customers, to support and develop artists, and to share our love of music.
For more information about CIMS and the stores in our organization, please visit cimsmusic.com or find us through social media with the #cimsmusic hashtag. And please remember to always shop local by supporting your neighborhood record store.
