Music

BEBE REXHA Better Mistakes Warner Records

This raspy, catchy singer is delivering a new batch of hits with her sophomore album. And while Rexha is a knockout on her own, she has a bevy of features that only elevate the tracks even more, from Lil Uzi to Travis Barker to Doja Cat, Ty Dolla Sign, and even the legendary Rick Ross. She ranges from pop to hip-hop with "Sabotage" and "Die for a Man," while "Sacrifice" is a funky disco beat with a darkly fun music video featuring a bloodthirsty Bebe as a vampire. "Break My Heart" with Barker is an instant hit, with an addictive beat and sick drums. It’s one of the songs on the tracklist that delves into mental health with lyrics like, "My doctor upped my dosage/ My mom felt bad, so she sent me roses/ Without it, I feel really hopeless." "Baby, I’m Jealous" with Doja Cat is a sultry, sweet listen that is all about self-love and owning your body. Well, Bebe owned this album. - Marisa Patwa

OLIVIA RODRIGO

Sour

Geffen Records

High School Musical’s newest generation of superstar, Olivia Rodrigo has delivered a knockout debut album at only 18, capturing the hearts of everyone. Her lead single "Driver’s License" is a daily listen on the car ride with my 4-year-old daughter Sansa and it’s already an SNL skit classic, with Regé-Jean Page and several cast members breaking down the importance of the poetic lyrics over beers while playing pool. And they hit the nail on the head - there is just something about the way her falsetto simply hypnotizes you. Her follow-up singles "deja vu" and "Good For You" are just as good. The former gives you that glow-y halo around your heart while the latter makes you want to sing your heart out while plotting revenge against those who have wronged you. I can’t wait to see the trajectory of her career because I know she’ll be starring on stages for decades to come. - Marisa Patwa

J. COLE

The Off Season

Dreamville Records/Roc Nation/Interscope

It’s been a few years since we’ve gotten an album of R&B brilliance from the iconic J. Cole. But now, he’s gifting us with his sixth studio release, dominating the Billboard 200. He’s once again giving us all the goosebumps, butterflies and straight up feels. "The Climb Back" is a beautiful, hypnotic track that gets you grooving and meditating at the same time. I could listen to it forever and be at peace. "Applying Pressure" is a tasty tonguetwister with lyrics like, "Uh, applying pressure/ Started my grind where crime festers/ And nines showing like they in they second trimesters." Elswhere, "Close" gets you hooked with some gorgeous background vocals. Thank you J. Cole for coming out of hibernation and treating us to new melodies and bangers that will brighten our summer. - Marisa Patwa

TEXAS

Hi

BMG

The Scottish pop-rock band Texas, known in the States for their minor hit “Say What You Want,” returns with their 11th studio album. While tracks like the Donna Summer-sampled “Mr. Haze” and Wu-Tang Clan-featured “Hi” are certainly ambitious, the merging of psychedelic pop and hip-hop is a mismatched effort; however, “Just Want to Be Liked” fares better with its similarities to what made Plan B’s “She Said” a bona fide hit in Europe and bodes well for the rest of the album. But unfortunately, Hi takes a quick nosedive despite good intentions. The message of lost love in "Unbelievable" is dragged down by the overdone piano ballad structure in pop songs; “Moonstar” represents the only country-driven track but does not do anything to highlight the band’s charm; and 60’s-influenced R&B, jangle pop, and garage punk tracks like “Heaven Knows” and “Sound of My Voice” have opportunities to reinvent the wheel and create magic, but all spell out filler. Hi rebounds a bit at the end with the alternative dance-meets-soft industrial “Falling” and garage rock revival ditty “Had a Hard Day,” but I wanted to say “bye” halfway through this collection. - Freddie Bourne

BO BURNHAM

Inside

Netflix

I’m blown away. I seriously cannot believe how good the new special by comedian Bo Burnham is. Burnham released a few comedy albums throughout his late teens and early twenties that were clever, though oftentimes quite juvenile. Retiring from comedy at age 25, Burnham took a backseat and wrote and directed the critically-acclaimed film Eighth Grade. In January 2020, Burnham decided to return to comedy... and then the pandemic happened. Inside is the result of Burnham locking himself up in quarantine and losing his mind. The special, which debuted as a 90 minute music video on Netflix, is incredible. Inside exists perfectly in the space between Weird Al and Father John Misty. It's also the best art project dealing with the pandemic and the turmoil of 2020. Burnham grew up, matured, and made something really remarkable. I think everyone should watch it. - Russ Finn

BLACK MIDI

Cavalcade

Rough Trade Records

For what it’s worth, I play music in a rock band, and I wish the music I made sounded like the cacophonous, jazzy prog-rock jams found on Cavalcade, the second album by London’s Black Midi. If you listened to the group's debut, Schlagenheim, you heard a young band toying with a lot of different styles of rock music and successfully destroying those songs (in a good way) with dissonance and noise. Great news: If you liked Schlagenheim, you’ll love Cavalcade. The band has honed everything good from the first record to create an incredible rock album that feels really fresh in 2021. If you like experimental rock that echoes 70's prog-rock, 80's post-punk, and noisy, psychedelic jazz jams, please listen to Cavalcade. - Russ Finn

LAVA GULLS

Transience

Self-Released

I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing this Nashville DIY band perform on two occasions, and I’m a fan of their first two albums. Lava Gulls’ style reminds me a lot of Animal Collective, as they incorporate a densely-layered electronic pop sound while singing in a similar timbre. By no means, though, do I want to reduce Lava Gulls to an Animal Collective clone. They create much more of a party atmosphere, coming across as an uplifting DJ/ dance act. Transience, Lava Gulls’ third release, is their best and most confident yet. Its sleek production and thoughtful lyrics, mixed with its upbeat and interesting instrumental choices, make Transience a notable record amongst the Nashville scene. - Russ Finn

FLOTSAM & JETSAM

Blood in the Water

AFM Records

No discussion of the titans of thrash metal would be complete without an examination of Arizona’s Flotsam and Jetsam. Since 1986, this committed band led by vocalist Eric AK Knutson has delivered uncompromising, ferocious and brilliantly composed albums. 2021’s Blood in the Water is a relentless onslaught of intricacy, driving riffs, beautiful harmonies, and rapid-fire drum work. Original guitarist Michael Gilbert is just as fast and accurate as ever, and Ken Mary’s pummeling drum work is exquisite - he really shines on this one. Metal fans sometimes lament that there is no "new" good music out there, but that simply isn’t true. If you’ve never given this band a chance, pick up Blood in the Water - every track is outstanding. Standouts are "The Wicked Hour," "Too Many Lives," "Brace for Impact," "The Walls" and the title track. Flotsam and Jetsam are going to have a very difficult time topping this one! - Matt Alschbach

Blues with Bragin

ALLY VENABLE Heart of Fire Ruf Records

A blues-rock legend in the making, Ally Venable returns with Heart of Fire. The opening guitar lick on the title track seems reminiscent of classic Jimi Hendrix. “Played the Game” features a change of pace with Venable showing off her skills on acoustic guitar. The classic feel at the beginning of “Hateful Blues” is quickly replaced by Venable’s signature blues-rock sound. The drumming from Elijah Owings matches the intense guitar. “Road to Nowhere” features a guest appearance from Devon Allman. The heavy guitar solo in the middle of the song perfectly complements the lyrics about giving everything to someone and not receiving enough in return.

“Bring on the Pain” sees Venable going head-to-head with special guest Kenny Wayne Shepherd. The aptly named “Hard Change” features more hard-driving guitar from Venable with a heavy metal edge. “Do It in Heels” is a toe-tapper and girl power anthem rolled into one. More Hendrix influence shows up in “Sad Situation.” A cover of the Bill Withers classic “Use Me” features a funky bass line from Bobby Wallace. “Tribute to SRV” offers an instrumental with a great fusion of blues and jazz elements. The album closes with “What Do You Want From Me,” a song about a relationship on the skids. Blues-rock lovers need this album. - Paul Bragin