Ann Powers and Sheldon Pearce listen to the new albums out on Feb. 9 — including Brittany Howard's What Now — and find themselves wondering about the cultural value of virtuosity in 2024.

Featured albums:
1. Brittany Howard, What Now
2. Joel Ross, nublues
3. Boldy James & Nicholas Craven, Penalty of Leadership (released Jan. 12)
4. Kali Malone, All Life Long
5. Sonic Youth, Walls Have Ears
6. Usher, Coming Home

Other notable albums out Feb. 9:
• Helado Negro, PHASOR
• Chelsea Wolfe, She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She
• Madi Diaz, Weird Faith
• Declan McKenna, What Happened To The Beach?
• Little Simz, Drop 7 EP
• Shygirl, Club Shy EP
• Kelela, RAVE:N, The Remixes
• Mk.gee, Two Star & The Dream Police
• Ducks Ltd., Harm's Way
• David Nance & Mowed Sound, David Nance & Mowed Sound
• Split System, Vol. 2
• The Telescopes, Growing Eyes Become String

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