Traversing the bounds of genre and language in his songs, singer-songwriter GRAMMY nominated Omar Apollo captures the adventurous spirit that this multi-hyphenate moment in pop demands, returning with his highly anticipated sophomore album. Apollo is a true visionary, whose one-of-a-kind pop synthesis unites listeners from all walks of life in a shared passion for rhythm and soul.
With sophisticated songs that are also accessible to those not familiar with more classical-crossover material, Rectangles and Circumstance proves a good introduction as well as a delight to the already initiated. It’s a rich and boundary-pushing album, evidence that experimentation doesn’t have to be solely cerebral; it can be fun and a courageous transformation towards the beautiful.
Ugandan-born, Austin-based Jon Muq's debut, Flying Away, melds African and Western melodies, reflecting his astonishing journey. Produced by Dan Auerbach, the album is infused with themes of resilience, and Muq's spontaneous, reflective songwriting captures the essence of his cross-continental life.
Maintaining his status as one of the most acclaimed voices in the UK Americana rock scene, Vincent’s new songs represent a real left turn. The intimacy and introspection is captured by the sure hand and keen ear of award-winning producer Ethan Johns whose work with Ray Lamontagne is a real touchstone for Vincent’s own ambition, mellowness, and honesty on Barriers.
Coming 10 years after their previous release, Super Magick provides a colorful mix of modern Pop Rock filled with various textures of Alternative Rock that never sacrifices a song’s integrity for the sake of a hook and catchy melody. It’s proof the 90’s stars are still beaming almost three decades into their lustrous career.
An ambitious suite of tracks that showcase a bold new acid-pop direction for the Bedfordshire-born polymath. It is an album of self-discovery, one that zips between genres at whim and showcases a newfound incisiveness and acerbic humor to Templeman’s lyricism, whilst retaining the sense of joy that defined his previous releases.
Glass Animals had always wanted to make a “space record” but ended up with sonics and songs that sounded too icy and lacking in emotion. Here, they’ve cracked it, melding the idea of dark vastness with the widescreen panoramas of a Westerns. I Love You… combines their left-of-center indie-pop with expansive sci-fi atmospherics and shoegazing guitars.
Drawing strength and power from a lifetime of sisterhood and music, The Warning have logged thousands of miles on the road, leaving countless fans in awe. All of this tireless work and dedication has shaped and sharpened their sound with knifepoint precision, arming alternative anthems with universally catchy hooks and an uncompromising hard rock kick.
Big Loud Rock heavy hitter Hardy— crowned “Nashville’s nü-metal king” by the Los Angeles Times is soaring to new heights with Quit!!, his first full album embrace of his rock sound. The pride of Philadelphia, Mississippi continues to earn his reputation as a promising purveyor of keeping the spirit of classic heavy Southern rock alive.
Odesza’s first live album ever boasts 27 live recordings from their extensive tour, including cuts from their latest album The Last Goodbye. Features live vocal performances from guest artists such as Leon Bridges, Sudan Archives, Naomi Wild, Charlie Houston, Lapsley, MARO, Izzy Bizu and more.
LOOM represents the pinnacle of their artistic journey of self-discovery and marks the best body of work Imagine Dragons ever made. It’s the perfect balance between the classic sounds that have made them superstars and the freshness that brought them joy in the studio. Featuring 9 brand new tracks including hit single “Eyes Closed”, this signifies new beginnings on the horizon – the excitement for a new day, moments yet to come.
Smooth keyboard washes, subtly propulsive rhythms, and restrained guitar provide a lush backdrop for the band’s signature vocal collages as the band’s sixth full-length, But I’ll Wait For You, evokes the sounds of a broken heart, trying to cling on to the tiniest glimmer of hope that a relationship can still be salvaged.
South of Here reckons with a lifetime of pain and trauma and transforms it into a stirring and soul-baring rumination on love, loss, hope and resolve. the new album blends both sides of his immense talent: emotionally potent, vivid storytelling and the rugged, R&B revivalism that has powered the band to world-wide acclaim over the past decade.
Good Together is an eclectic set of genre-bending songs that could only have come from popular music’s most agile and compelling outliers. Fusing pop, R&B, soul and jazz, Lake Street Dive: Rachael Price (vocals), Bridget Kearney (bass), Mike Calabrese (drums), Akie Bermiss (keyboards), and James Cornelison (guitar), have created the most confident and accomplished recording of their career.
Sonido Cosmico embarks on a sonic exploration that defies the conventional boundaries of instrumental music. Produced by Dan Auerbach, the collection is a richly textured tapestry, interwoven with the intricate threads of Latin rhythms and ephemeral atmospherics: each track a vignette, a carefully crafted narrative without words, where the brothers' transcendent guitars speak in a language all their own.
The seventh studio album from acclaimed musician Lindsey Stirling celebrates the delicate, yet beautiful, nature of duality – the inner battle of fearlessness and self-doubt we all experience. Exploring two distinct styles of music for each side of the album, Duality evokes a sense of magic; encouraging the listener to acknowledge the struggle but to always believe in the limitless version of themselves.
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.
