If you're in need of new music, let Exclaim! guide you through the best albums hitting the shelves this week. Head over to our Recently Reviewed section to read full reviews of the following highlights.
Kicking things off, Weakerthans frontman John K. Samson delivers a fine solo debut with Provincial, which has earned our Exclaim! Mark of Excellence this week. Check out our review to see why, and while you're at it, you can browse our accompanying interview with Samson.
Then we have lo-fi maestro Porcelain Raft (aka Mauro Remiddi), who offers a nostalgic slice of dream pop with his long-awaited debut album Strange Weekend. And Swedish sisters First Aid Kit return with their sophomore full-length, The Lion's Roar. Beautiful vocal harmonies blend with old-time country on this Exclaim!-approved pick.
Also out this week, U.S. heavy metal giants Lamb of God return with their seventh album Resolution. While the Virginia five-piece's trademark thrash remains, tracks like "King Me" (featuring opera singer Amanda Munton) make Resolution their most ambitious record to date.
Meanwhile, avant-popsters Actual Water have re-released the album that bagged them a record deal, The Paisley Orchard, where '60s jangle pop supersedes the quartet's early lo-fi enigmas. Also, Warp Records recording artist Gonjasufi has returned with MU.ZZ.LE, his first proper full-length since the acclaimed A Sufi and a Killer.
Finally, Toronto's Bidiniband provide a style-shifting playlist on In the Rock Hall. The four-piece's experimental effort may not always hit the mark, but wry storytelling and some classic out-and-out rockers make In the Rock Hall worth a listen.
To read full reviews of these new releases and more, check out the Recently Reviewed section, and visit the New and Forthcoming Release Dates page to see what's coming up in the near future.
You can also check out our favourite tracks from some of these albums in our Rdio Genre Playlists:
Metal
Pop & Rock
Hip-Hop
Folk & Country
Kicking things off, Weakerthans frontman John K. Samson delivers a fine solo debut with Provincial, which has earned our Exclaim! Mark of Excellence this week. Check out our review to see why, and while you're at it, you can browse our accompanying interview with Samson.
Then we have lo-fi maestro Porcelain Raft (aka Mauro Remiddi), who offers a nostalgic slice of dream pop with his long-awaited debut album Strange Weekend. And Swedish sisters First Aid Kit return with their sophomore full-length, The Lion's Roar. Beautiful vocal harmonies blend with old-time country on this Exclaim!-approved pick.
Also out this week, U.S. heavy metal giants Lamb of God return with their seventh album Resolution. While the Virginia five-piece's trademark thrash remains, tracks like "King Me" (featuring opera singer Amanda Munton) make Resolution their most ambitious record to date.
Meanwhile, avant-popsters Actual Water have re-released the album that bagged them a record deal, The Paisley Orchard, where '60s jangle pop supersedes the quartet's early lo-fi enigmas. Also, Warp Records recording artist Gonjasufi has returned with MU.ZZ.LE, his first proper full-length since the acclaimed A Sufi and a Killer.
Finally, Toronto's Bidiniband provide a style-shifting playlist on In the Rock Hall. The four-piece's experimental effort may not always hit the mark, but wry storytelling and some classic out-and-out rockers make In the Rock Hall worth a listen.
To read full reviews of these new releases and more, check out the Recently Reviewed section, and visit the New and Forthcoming Release Dates page to see what's coming up in the near future.
You can also check out our favourite tracks from some of these albums in our Rdio Genre Playlists:
Metal
Pop & Rock
Hip-Hop
Folk & Country
