Elijah’s Top 5:

Allegheny Rains, Theophonos (independent). A surprise end-of-month release from the prolific Michigan artist, combining the fringes of black metal with the fringes of hardcore to evoke emotional spaces deeper than the sum of its parts.

Ascension, Mirar (independent). Chaos, melody, light, and dark converge and diverge endlessly on this duo’s epic release. Read the full review here.

Dweller, Haunted Horses (Three One G Records). Industrial energy and melancholic punk angst come oozing forth across this densely arranged and perfectly produced album by the Seattle trio.

Haragma II, Exterior Palnet (independent). Never mind the band name’s intentional typo, this is some serious music. Relentlessly dissonant across its peaks and valleys, throughout its alternating moments of melodicism and esotericism.

Painted Paradise, Fleshbore (Transcending Obscurity Records). If you’re the greedy type who wants your technical death metal to have taste, melody, chops, AND dynamics, then here’s the album you’ve been waiting for. At last, you can rest.

Adriane’s Top 5:

Ebo Taylor JID 022, Ebo Taylor with Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad (Jazz is Dead). The latest installment in one of the most exciting record series running features Ghanaian Afrobeat legend Ebo Taylor, recorded at 88 years young. His voice is weathered, but his fire is strong, and Younge and Muhammad do him right with polished and psychedelic production.

Ekoya, Jupiter & Okwess (Airfono). The DRC’s grooviest firebrands are back with more politically charged bofenia rock. Frontman Jupiter Bokondji has a gritty voice and natural charisma, and he and the band are as compelling as ever on their fourth international album.

Héritage, Songhoy Blues (Transgressive). Typically known for the electric edge they give their blues rock, Songhoy Blues takes a more acoustic approach to the assouf style of Héritage. A little twang, a lot of melancholy, and a feature from Rokia Koné make for a well-blended palette.

Live in the Khaleej!, Ghazi x Boom.Diwan and Arturo O’Farrill (independent). A jazzy take on Kuwaiti pearl diving music (plus Congolese rhumba, plus other things), this is an album of skill, variety, and deep devotion. Stunning from start to finish.

Nyron Higor, Nyron Higor (Far Out). I’m a sucker for library music and a sucker for chill MPB, so you can imagine my delight in stumbling upon Nyron Higor’s self-titled intertwining of the two. This is a blissful mix of retro lounge and contemporary bedroom pop, and who doesn’t need their stress levels knocked down a peg these days?