Angel Olsen's breakout record "Burn Your Fire For No Witness" set fans up to expect more of her powerful retro-folk this time around, and Olsen instead subverts expectations and delivers a new sound that showcases her creativity and range.

Death and rebirth are at the center of what may be Okkervil River's most heartfelt and touching record since "Black Sheep Boy." It's called "Away," and we discuss it in-depth in this episode of "For the Record."

We discuss Of Montreal's latest record, "Innocence Reaches."

Dinosaur Jr. is back with their fourth record since they began making music together again in 2007, "Give a Glimpse of What Yer Not."

San Francisco's own Deerhoof has been leading the weirdness vanguard in the indie rock universe for two decades, but "The Magic" is one of their best records so far. We discuss it in depth in episode #47 of "For the Record."

"Masterpiece" is Big Thief's debut album on Saddle Creek Records, and combines beautiful and distinctive vocals with a modern folk sound. We discuss it in depth in episode #46 of "For the Record."

Mitski is only 25 years old, but sings with the mature, self-assured voice of an artist with a promising future ahead of her. This record makes good on its title with a collection of emotional highs and lows that reward repeated listens.

Car Seat Headrest's "Teens of Denial" is mastermind Will Toledo's first proper album for Matador Records, but is his 13th album of original music. It's GG's favorite record of 2016 so far.

Austin, Texas band A Giant Dog have a giant sound that's pure rock & roll, but with lyrics that come from wisdom earned over years of playing together and earning the title of one of the best live acts around. "Pile" is their first record after signing to

San Francisco's own Thao Nguyen teams up with producer Merrill Garbus of Tune-Yards to create a beat-driven, emotionally raw record that is a significant departure from Thao & The Get Down Stay Down's earlier albums, and may be their best work yet.