Ukho Ensemble Kyiv/Gaggero
(Kyiv Dispatch)
Gérard Grisey’s extraordinary expressive work, performed here by Ukraine’s leading new-music group, is one of the finest compositions of the late 20th century

(Backwoodz Studioz)
The New York rapper confronts trauma and state-sanctioned terror with his latest release, pulling out innumerable images of inhumanity

(Anti-)
Inspired by the music of Luboš Fiser and Catholic requiem mass, the instrumentals are deft and surprising, but Pimienta’s captivating, flawless vocals steal the show

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra/Gardiner
(Deutsche Grammophon)
In recordings taken from live performances, John Eliot Gardiner conducts the RCO in taut and purposeful readings

(Warner)
Denigrated by some as the epitome of attention-deficit youth, the English pop musician became huge nonetheless – and her latest has an inspiringly free-associative feel

(4AD)
The Norwegian experimentalist’s ninth album is a personal journey through the past and self, focused on the power of scent in evoking forgotten moments

(Edition)
Ideas of migration and self-discovery inspire the latest album from Hong and her imaginative band, entwined with harmonies and delicate effects

Chiejina/Connolly/Hulett/Riches/Crouch End Fest Chorus/London Mozart Players/Temple
(Signum, two CDs)
An excellent choir and impressive soloists do justice to Elgar’s rather inert oratorio but don’t quite match existing recordings

Pierre-Laurent Aimard
(Pentatone, two CDs)
Kurtág himself approved Pierre-Laurent Aimard’s selection of 81 pieces from the composer’s 10 volumes of miniature pieces, now among the past half century’s great achievements

(True Panther Sounds/Dirty Hit)
Inspired by Mariah and Kylie but full of jackhammer rhythms and noise, the quartet’s second album could attract a big following

(4AD)
The Irish artist’s folk-inflected sound is both unnerving and alluring on her luxuriant second album

(Self-released)
The Dublin-based French-American singer and guitarist’s heart is in the Appalachian mountains – but her songs swim from country to blues and French chanson

Lukas Geniušas, Anna Geniushene
Alpha Classics
The duo’s debut album is a finely balanced and imaginative combination, with John Adams’ eclectic title work the standout

Benedetti/Aurora Orchestra/Collon
(Decca)
Benedetti and the Aurora, who play from memory, have fun and freedom here, augmenting the role of the drum in an ebullient recording

(Polydor)
After her big breakthrough and West End fame, Rebecca Lucy Taylor works through her worries in real time on her new album – to fascinating and confusing effect

(Strut)
This San Francisco session released for Record Store Day sets spoken word to Ackamoor’s uncompromising but joyous spiritual jazz

(Columbia)
The Nigerian superstar’s vocal prowess and smooth beats have their moments on his latest album, but at 17 tracks it could use an edit

(Matador)
The Boygenius star and singer-songwriter Torres find the perfect vehicle for their pained and defiant storytelling

(Sub Pop)
The TV on the Radio frontman’s sharp pop instincts kick in on a multifaceted synth-punk-funk set born out of deep personal loss

(Phantom Limb)
The 80s label released hundreds of oddball DIY recordings. Their final compilation, now repressed, jerks from folk to punk to ambient – with moments worthy of great kids’ TV