(Total Pleasure)
Are we finally seeing the real Annie Clark? Replacing alter egos with raw immediacy, she delivers one of her best albums: restlessly inventive and packed with ideas

(Blue Note)
The Kojey Radical and Angélique Kidjo collaborators refine their soul-and-hip-hop-tinged sound on this propulsive, polished fourth album

(Republic)
On her 11th album, the American singer-songwriter picks apart her romantic travails in typically unsparing fashion, while her ability to turn sorrow into songwriting gold remains unparalleled

(Thrill Jockey)
Largely recorded on the road and full of found sounds, this beguiling record from the US ambient artist captures the feeling of self-inflicted solitude

(World Circuit)
Recorded live, this pandemic-era collaboration covering songs on death and loss by Depeche Mode, Mercury Rev, Suede and more occasionally transcends its source material

(Monkeywrench/Republic)
With superproducer Andrew Watt working his magic, the Seattle grunge veterans sound on point and full of energy in their 35th anniversary year

McCreesh/Stéphany/Spence/Foster-Williams
(Signum, two CDs)
Paul McCreesh’s historically informed performance of the composer’s greatest choral work has many gains but ultimately never really catches fire

(Mute)
The 13th album from the Manchester pioneers blends familiarity with no shortage of new ideas, spanning introspection to jubilance

(Haekalu)
With doom-laden growls and falsetto screams, the Kenyan metaller’s indefatigable vocals cut through a thunderous onslaught of headbanging sound

(Republic)
Subtly detailed album splits the difference between 1989’s glossy pop-rock and Midnights’ understatement – and lets her ex Matty Healy have it in no uncertain terms

Gerstein/Mantashyan/Skanavi/Adès
(Platoon, two CDs)
Claude Debussy’s piano music written in the last few years of his life interspersed with works by ethnomusicologist and composer Komitas Vardapet

(Anti-)
The American multi-instrumentalist combines a wide range of Black musical traditions on her beautifully crafted fifth solo album

(Chrysalis)
The New York indie-rockers retool early work into an eclectic set of musings on porn, Tarkovsky and filthy lucre

(Impulse!)
British jazz star Shabaka Hutchings drops the sax for reeds and flutes on an album exploring fear, courage and the power of breathwork

(Analog Africa)
This sparkling time capsule of Congolese rumba from 1969 to 1982 features homegrown melody and soul with James Brown’s electrifying funk influence

(Bison)
Powered by Jessica Hickie-Kallenbach’s astonishing singing, the British trio explore Dilla-time funkiness and math-rock detail

(ACT)
Harmonica star Maret and pianist/composer Collin pay homage to Ennio Morricone with drifting church-echo and trancelike sounds

(Columbia)
Fresh from a support slot on Taylor Swift’s Era tour, the Norwegian singer-songwriter pivots from lo-fi indie to full-blown widescreen pop

Faust/Melnikov/Faust/Symphonieorchester des Bayerische Rundfunks/Hrůša
(Harmonia Mundi)
Violinist Isabelle Faust, violist Boris Faust and pianist Alexander Melnikov honour Britten’s exuberant works with vigour and determination

Morley/Moore
Orchid Classics
Erin Morley brings artless precision and liquid phrasing to her debut recording