9th Wonder & Talib Kweli – Indie 500 CD/2xLP (It’s Wonderful A World Music Group)

9th Wonder has established himself as hip-hop’s top educator, working as a professor at Harvard, Duke and North Carolina Central University, while Talib Kweli has become one of hip-hop’s most vocal and respected voices, who appears regularly on news outlets such as CNN and programs like HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher. A collaboration between Kweli and 9th almost seemed to make perfect sense, but Indie 500 represents even more to the artists. “I’ve always been a fan of collectives, like Native Tongues and the Dungeon Family,” explains Kweli. “Indie 500 is a tribute to the spirit of unity exemplified by some of great hip-hop artists that influenced us.” The album features an all-star supporting cast, including Problem, Slug (of Atmosphere), Rapsody, Pharaoh Monch, Brother Ali, Hi-Tek, NIKO IS and more.

Courtney Barnett – Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit [Deluxe Edition] 2xCD/2xLP (Mom + Pop)

Deluxe double-CD version adds Live At Electric Ballroom In London. Includes new artwork, fold out poster, four limited edition Polaroid photos shot by Courtney, a 16-page booklet all in a matte laminated collector’s edition box set. Mixing witty, often hilarious, occasionally even heartbreaking observations with devastating self-assessment, Courtney Barnett’s debut album, Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit, cements her standing as one of the most distinctive and compelling voices in indie rock. These songs reveal not only an assured songwriter and guitar player, but also an artist who in just a few years has already proved highly influential. (Limited copies available on yellow vinyl.)

Ellie Goulding – Delirium CD (Interscope)

Ellie Goulding – Delirium [Deluxe Edition] 2xCD (Interscope)

“Ellie Goulding’s third full-length Delirium is what it is: another product of the capitalistic fame machine. Bow down for the catchiness. The journey begins with an intro piece named after the album. It is a mysterious, cinematic instrumental track which makes curious for the forthcoming material. And just when you reach this certain state of delirium it is supposed to turn you in to, the awakening hits you hard when ‘Aftertaste’ starts pumping through your brain. A folk-orientated up-tempo number, catchy hook from the first sec, overload of production. It is clear, guys: With this album, Goulding serves us a pop-masterpiece” – Nothing But Hope And Passion. (Deluxe edition includes a bonus CD containing seven additional tracks.)

Made Of Oak – Penumbra CD/LP+MP3 (Partisan)

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The same phosphorescent weight found in Nick Sanborn’s work as half of Sylvan Esso is manifest on Penumbra, Sanborn’s debut EP under the name Made Of Oak. Bittersweet hooks float through weighted bass while personal textures click, strum, and breathe, giving a tense intimacy to his melodies.

Natalie Merchant – Paradise Is There: The New Tigerlily Recordings CD/LP (Nonesuch)

Natalie Merchant – Paradise Is There: The New Tigerlily Recordings [Deluxe Edition CD+DVD (Nonesuch)

Paradise Is There: The New Tigerlily Recordings revisits Merchant’s multi-platinum solo debut, Tigerlily, originally released in 1995 following her departure from 10,000 Maniacs.Paradise Is There presents the songs as they have evolved over the past two decades of live performance. Joining Merchant on the album, which she produced herself, are her long-time band members Gabriel Gordon (guitar), Jesse Murphy (bass), Uri Sharlin (piano and accordion), and Allison Miller (drums), as well as a string quartet: Scot Moore (violin), Shawn Moore (violin), Marandi Hostetter (viola), and Stanley Moore (cello)-plus Sharel Cassity (saxophone) and guest vocals by Simi Stone, Gail Ann Dorsey, and Elizabeth Mitchell. (Deluxe Edition adds a documentary DVD.)

Bill Ryder-Jones – West Kirby Country Primary CD/LP+MP3 (Domino)

The follow-up to 2013’s A Bad Wind Blows In My Heart was written and recorded by Ryder-Jones in his childhood bedroom at his mother’s house in West Kirby before being filtered through Liverpool’s legendary Parr Street Studios. A classic band record, West Kirby County Primary features Bill playing a multitude of instruments including the electric guitar with his trademark prowess.

Soldiers Of Fortune – Early Risers CD/LP+MP3 (Mexican Summer)

S.O.F. consists of members Brad Truax (Interpol), Kid Millions (Man Forever, Oneida), Barry London (Oneida), Matt Sweeney (Chavez being his LEAST well-known operation should tell you something), Jesper Eklow (Endless Boogie), Mike Bones already, and the elusive Papa Crazee (heavy early riser in team Oneida). On Early Risers the superior vocal stylings of Clark “Yeremias” Bronson, Stephen Malkmus, Cass McCombs, Dan Melchior, Ethan Miller, and Matt McAuley were also enlisted. The result is the sound of utter confusion and unfocused tender hatred in song form.

Tracey Thorn – Solo Songs And Collaborations 1982-2015 CD (Caroline)

A collection of rarities and collaborations from the Everything But The Girl vocalist. Tracey says: “These tracks represent, on one hand, the moments when I was working as a solo artist outside the constraints and democracy of a band, either recording tracks entirely by myself, or at least being in the driving seat, the one making all the artistic decisions. And on the other hand, those times when I guested with other bands or producers, performing as a featured solo singer, moonlighting from my regular job.”

Magnetic Fields – 69 Love Songs [Reissue/1999] 6×10”+MP3 (Merge)
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Remastered limited edition deluxe vinyl reissue of Magnetic Fields classic 1999 triple-CD rumination on love. Funny, smart, dark, and memorable. Stephin Merritt solidifies his songwriting genius on his “most ambitious and fully realized work” — AMG. Three double-10” records in gatefold sleeves packaged in a slipcase box.

U.S. Girls – Half Free LP+MP3 (4AD)
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Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. The work of Illinois-born, Toronto-based artist Meg Remy, U.S. Girls has evolved in recent years from the coarse four-track fidelity found on her early recordings to more luscious and unabashed works, packed with fiery pop sensibilities. Half Free is the next step in this impressive progression, an honest and lyrically jarring exploration of emotions, drenched in a bath of raw beats and loops that have become the hallmark of her work with producer and frequent collaborator Onakabazien. Other album guests include Slim Twig (DFA), Ben Cook (F**ked Up, Young Guv), Amanda Crist (Ice Cream) and Tony Price.