For their fourth studio album, Slothrust brings in a new producer and willingness to experiment, taking their guitar-driven sound in some unexpected directions. We discuss it in depth in episode #91 of “For the Record.”

Janelle Monáe breaks out of her history of doing concept albums in-character to make a more personal record that also serves as a statement of queer, black, feminist empowerment to which you can't help but dance.

Valley Queen's debut LP combines Natalie Carol's powerful vocals with 70s-tinged guitar rock that recalls both Florence and the Machine and Fleetwood Mac. We discuss it in depth in episode #89 of “For the Record.”

Oakland's own Fantastic Negrito has a story worthy of a Hollywood movie, and he uses his incredible life experience to bring emotion and depth to the modern blues fusion of his latest record, “Please Don't Be Dead.” We discuss it in depth in episode #88 o

Lindsey Jordan of Snail Mail is only 19 years old, but possesses a guitar prowess and emotional maturity that make her wise beyond her years. We discuss the dreamy textures of her Matador debut, “Lush,” in episode #87 of “For the Record.”

Flasher are a Washington D.C.-based trio who make tight, energetic, new-wavey post-punk that captures the urgency and anxiety of being young in 2018 America. We discuss their debut LP, “Constant Image,” on episode #86 of “For the Record.”

Neko Case combines her singular voice with a host of collaborators, branching out into a variety of musical styles and instrumentation choices to make what might be her best solo record yet — and it's mostly self-produced. We discuss it in depth in episo

British singer-songwriter L.A. Salami crosses genres in a style he describes as “post-modern blues.” In his new record, “City of Bootmakers,” he addresses both social and personal issues using songs that are tight, catchy, and will stick with you long aft

British singer-songwriter Frank Turner takes things in a new, synthier direction on his new record, “Be More Kind,” which is also his proposed solution to how we keep our sanity in an increasingly chaotic world. We discuss the album in depth in episode 83

The Forth Wanderers may be just out of high school, but they make compelling guitar rock with a wisdom beyond their years. We discuss their self-titled debut for Sub Pop Records in episode #82 of "For the Record."