Magic Kids: Memphis (True Panther Sounds)

Magic Kids: Memphis (True Panther Sounds) – Titled after their hometown, Memphis is the debut LP from five-piece Magic Kids. Their lush orchestral-pop comes to life with catchy harmonies and an array of guitars, violins, horns, keyboards, etc. Joyous and nostalgic, their feel-good sound references the city's rich heritage without seeming derivative. Recommended. Play 1 2 3 5 6 9

Aloe Blacc: Good Things (Stones Throw)

Aloe Blacc: Good Things (Stones Throw) – The sophomore LP from west coast singer E. Nathaniel Dawkins (aka Aloe Blacc) is a major step forward. His neo-soul vocals share stories of economic struggles atop vibrant, contemporary productions from Truth and Soul (Leon Michels and Jeff Silverman). His smooth phrasing and range are solid, while the robust productions feature funky bass, rhythmic guitar, strings, vintage keys, horns, vibes, strings, etc. Side one is the strongest. Nearly Highly Recommended. Play 1 2 3 4 6 10

Les Savy Fav: Root for Ruin (French Kiss)

Les Savy Fav: Root for Ruin (French Kiss) - Indie-rockers Les Savy Fav's 5th LP offers another chapter of catchy, energetic, somewhat jagged works. Guitarists Seth Jabour and Andrew Reuland craft interesting, mathy lines, as vocalist Tim Harrington shouts with emotion. Work out that excess energy. Nearly Recommended. 4 5 7 8 11 (FCC 1 2 3)

!!! (chk chk chk): Strange Weather, Isn't It? (Warp)

!!!: Strange Weather, Isn't It? (Warp) - Strange Weather, Isn't It? is the 4th LP from dance-rock combo !!!. While most of the playfully titled tracks stay locked into the same propulsive, dub kissed dance groove, the energetic workouts are enjoyable. Shivering synths, joyous sax lines, bombastic beats, hip shaking tambourine, elastic bass and choppy guitar melt the ice. Recommended. Play 1 2 4 5 8 9

Various Artists: The Sound of Rhythm and Culture (Rhythm and Culture)

Various Artists: The Sound of Rhythm & Culture (Rhythm & Culture) - Eighteenth Street Lounge DJ Farid Nouri's Rhythm & Culture Music branches out into the global downtempo dance culture. The proverb "the apple does not fall far from the tree" holds true here. Sultry rhythms, caressing horns and middle-eastern flair meet dub aesthetics. Nearly Recommended. Play 1 4 6 7 10 14

Matthew Dear: Black City (Ghostly)

Matthew Dear: Black City (Ghostly) – Electro producer Matthew Dear uses Black City to delve into the darer sides of urban life. The gritty sexy grind comes to life with throbbing bass lines, layered synths, pedaled guitar licks, fractured beats and earthy percussion. He packs loads of nuance into the works, which enrich his cool vocals. The pop leanings of this one at times recall TV on the Radio, yet are un-mistakenly Mathew Dear. Recommended. Play 1 2 3 5 6 7 10

Best Coast: Crazy for You (Mexican Summer)

Best Coast: Crazy for You (Mexican Summer) - California duo Best Coast (Bethany Cosentino and Bobb Bruno) craft straight-ahead pop that draws on girl groups, garage rock, doo wop and grunge. Cosentino's diary laced lyrics are ripe with feelings of wistful longing and sadness that’s balanced by warm harmonies, distortion and reverb. Who hasn't wished their cat could talk and they had a bunch of weed for comfort? There's something about the summer, indeed. Recommended. Play 1 2 4 5 8 9 13