This Is Lorelei – The Singer in My Band
Nate Amos’ latest album as This Is Lorelai is a spellbinding AOTY contender.
Editor / Writer
Juan Edgardo Rodríguez
Juan joined the No Ripcord team in 2009, became Editor-in-Chief in the mid-2010s, and basically kept the site going. He has written for a variety of music publications.
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Reviews
2026
2026
Chat Pile – Who Loves the Sun
The activist-minded Oklahoma City alt-metal quartet grapples with the discontents of modern life.
2026
Weezer – Weezer (The Gold Album)
The veteran LA rockers crank it up like it‘s the ’90s once again—just don’t call it a return to form.
2026
The Afghan Whigs – Soft Control
Deep into their second act, the veteran Cincinnati, Ohio rockers deliver another fiery set that aims for massive emotional payoffs.
2026
L‘Rain – fata morgana
Caught between illusion and reality, the Brooklyn artist uses her self-doubt to push her songwriting into new, undiscovered territory.
2026
Slow Fiction – dollhouse
The NYC indie rockers explore dense arrangements on their introspective full-length debut, bringing their tension between smoothness and bite into sharp focus.
2026
Yard Act – You’re Gonna Need A Little Music
The snarky Leeds band once again thrive on contradictions on their third LP, sucking you in with sumptuous grooves and then spitting you out with their blistering anguish.
2026
Kelela – New Avatar
On her third album, the alt-R&B artist synthesises complex feelings into airy, dimly lit club anthems.
2026
Mary in the Junkyard – Role Model Hermit
Functioning as a stripped-down trio, deftly led by multi-instrumentalist Clari Freeman-Taylor, the art rockers weave vulnerability into their sweeping sound.
2026
Olivia Rodrigo – You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love
Moving past the brash pop-punk of GUTS, Rodrigo‘s third LP leans into an 80s alternative pulse that matches the bittersweet feelings it evokes.
2026
Modest Mouse – An Eraser and A Maze
The Pacific Northwest veteran rockers attempt to make sense of mortality in their own inimitable way.
2026
Sparta – Cut a Silhouette
On their sixth LP, and third since reuniting in 2017, the reliable post-hardcore outfit deliver their most spirited work since their 2000s heyday.
2026
Iceage – For Love of Grace & the Hereafter
The Danish art-punk veterans deliver their most approachable, yet distinctly odd, album to date.
2026
Crash of Rhinos – Logbook
The cult Derby, UK emo act returns with their first new music in 13 years and a renewed sense of purpose.
2026
Kevin Morby – Little Wide Open
Eight albums in, the folk rock-singwriter reflects on where he’s been and leans into what lies ahead.
2026
Pigeon - OUTTANATIONAL
Led by charismatic frontperson Falle Nioke, the Margate, UK five-piece effortlessly expands their sound and vision on their debut album.
2026
Weird Nightmare – Hoopla
On his second LP as Weird Nightmare, the ex-METZ songwriter crafts straight-ahead power pop that is easy to get into but impossible to put down.
2026
Foo Fighters – Your Favorite Toy
The veteran alt-rockers attempt to embody a punk ethos over a lean, mean 36 minutes that rarely let up.
2026
U2 – Days of Ash/Easter Lily
Politics, love, and faith—three key tenets of their work—inform the Irish veterans’ two surprise EPs of 2026. Juan reflects on what they achieve, and considers how they might shape their forthcoming 15th studio album.
2026
The Twilight Sad – IT’S THE LONG GOODBYE
On their sixth LP, the Scottish veterans confront loss head-on with raw, impassioned anthems.
2026
Ora Cogan – Hard Hearted Woman
Elevated yet approachable, the Canadian singer/songwriter‘s Sacred Bones debut offers a powerful entry point into Cogan‘s quietly bewitching world.
2026
Kim Gordon – PLAY ME
Building on the spiritual foundation established in The Collective, the art-rock icon addresses current issues with directness on her third solo LP—for better or worse.
2026
Cootie Catcher – Something We All Got
On their second LP, the Toronto four-piece weather the storms of life with joyously sticky indie pop.
2026
Mitski – Nothing‘s About to Happen to Me
Fully conscious of her indie stardom, Mitski lets her inner thoughts run free from the perspective of a recluse.
2026
Cardinals – Masquerade
Raw, vital, and expansive, Cork-based quintet Cardinals stir up a distinctly Irish-sounding punk sound.
2026
Silversun Pickups – Tenterhooks
The LA-based alt rockers’ third collaboration with Butch Vig yields mixed results.
2026
Jo Passed – Away
Making his return after eight years, Jo Hirabayashi—the creative force behind Jo Passed—retains his knack for writing knotty indie rock.
2026
Jana Horn – Jana Horn
On her third LP, the Austin singer-songwriter leans further into glistening folk rock.
2026
Dry Cleaning – Secret Love
On their third LP, the London post-punk band draws out glimmering bits of truth from their abstract inclinations.
2025
Tobias Jesso Jr. – s h i n e
Returning after a 10-year absence, the lapsed singer-songwriter faces the mammoth task of proving his individuality as an artist.
2025
The Lemonheads – Love Chant
The mercurial singer-songwriter’s first album of original material in nearly 20 years presents his most authentic body of work since then.
2025
Stella Donnelly – Love and Fortune
The Melbourne singer-songwriter demonstrates her natural ease and likeability as she copes with an irreparable friendship.
2025
The Belair Lip Bombs – Again
Over the course of a lean 35 minutes, the Melbourne indie rock band proves to be resolute in finding a path forward as themselves.
2025
Rocket – R Is For Rocket
The Los Angeles quartet seem primed for an alt-rock explosion on their debut LP.
2025
Militarie Gun – God Save The Gun
On their second LP, the Los Angeles hardcore band tries its hand at blowing up its sound in a big, big way.
2025
White Reaper – Only Slightly Empty
The Louisville rockers aim for a more muscular, overdriven guitar sound on their fifth LP.
2025
Hannah Frances – Nested in Tangles
On her sixth LP, the Vermont-based singer-songwriter offers a sense of spiritual grounding within its intricate folk.
2025
Shame – Cutthroat
The South London five-piece balance accessibility and experimentation with mixed results.
2025
Greg Freeman – Burnover
The second album from Vermont’s Greg Freeman plays with an ease that belies its intricacy. Juan Edgardo Rodríguez reviews.
2025
Lifeguard – Ripped & Torn
The young Chicago trio paves the way for the next generation of art punks on their scuzzed-up, yet tuneful major indie label debut LP. Juan Edgardo Rodríguez reviews.
2025
Constant Follower – The Smile You Send Out Returns To You
Rewarding in its patience, the Scottish trio, led by Stephen McAll, sculpts haunting ambient folk that unlocks songwriter Stephen McAll’s distressing past. Juan Edgardo Rodríguez reviews.
2024
Arab Strap – I’m totally fine with it don’t give a fuck anymore
Arab Strap’s eighth album sees the band decking their idiosyncratic brand of post-rock with a warmer, smoky sheen.
2024
Ducks Ltd. – Harm’s Way
Canadian janglers Ducks Ltd. take flight on their second album.
2023
The Lemon Twigs – Everything Harmony
On Everything Harmony, the Lemon Twigs transcend their classic rock influences by sounding very of its time and timeless all at once.
2023
Wednesday – Rat Saw God
Wednesday’s fifth album finds them capturing everyday minutiae through the barren landscapes of rural America.
2023
Yves Tumor – Praise a Lord Who Chews But Which Does Not Consume; (Or Simply, Hot Between Worlds)
Praise a Lord... sees Tumor achieving the difficult task of remaining as perplexing as ever while forging a more inviting sound.
2023
Andy Shauf – Norm
On the majestic Norm, Andy Shauf brings a rich musical gravitas that augments the mystery of his chosen subject.
2023
The Murder Capital – Gigi’s Recovery
The Dublin quintet’s second album is a giant leap forward.
2022
Beth Orton – Weather Alive
The folk-leaning singer-songwriter’s stunning eighth LP couldn’t be a more perfect introduction for those unfamiliar with her work.
2022
Sudan Archives – Natural Brown Prom Queen
Aided by a number of likeminded producers to help fulfil her vision, Parks comes across as an open book, delivering a lushly atmospheric portrayal of a woman who takes pleasure in living in the moment.
2022
Viagra Boys – Cave World
The searing third album by the Swedish post-punk renegades is a manifesto on stupidity, taking their depraved, ideologically-charged satire into more sonically adventurous territory.
2022
Spiritualized – Everything Was Beautiful
On his ninth LP, Jason Pierce continues to poke a little fun at his own expense, alluding to being in a state of perpetual medical dependence while revelling in the joy of being human.
2022
Nilüfer Yanya – PAINLESS
Nilüfer Yanya draws strength from her emotional resilience on PAINLESS.
2022
Spoon – Lucifer On the Sofa
Lucifer on the Sofa could be considered a more straight-ahead, minimalist affair. That said, it also retains Spoon's ability to reshape classic rock sounds and colour outside the lines.
2021
illuminati hotties – Let Me Do One More
Let Me Do One More is a powerful declaration coming from a pop savant who is upping her songwriting chops behind deceptively simple songwriting.
2021
Wild Pink – A Billion Little Lights
Wild Pink’s third LP of heartland rock finds the NYC band mastering their sound.
2020
Bob Dylan – Rough and Rowdy Ways
Bob Dylan recaptures the magic on his 39th studio album.
2020
Sports Team – Deep Down Happy
Deep Down Happy moves along with such exuberant energy that we can’t help but feel amused and entertained.
2019
Vivian Girls – Memory
Memory poignantly conveys how time has caught up with the Vivian Girls. It may look into the past, but the trio are not the same anymore both creatively and personally.
2019
Alex G – House of Sugar
Alex G’s ninth album is a multi-layered delight.
2019
Weyes Blood – Titanic Rising
Titanic Rising is Natalie Mering’s fifth album as Weyes Blood.
2019
Deerhunter – Why Hasn't Everything Already Disappeared?
Deerhunter’s eighth album fines them on excellent form.
2016
Dinosaur Jr. – Give a Glimpse of What Yer Not
Dinosaur Jr.'s solid post-reformation run continues with album number eleven.
2016
Car Seat Headrest – Teens of Denial
Car Seat Headrest’s Will Toledo makes a significant breakthrough on Teens of Denial.
2016
Weezer – Weezer (The White Album)
Weezer’s tenth studio album finally justifies the grossly overused “return to form” tag.
2016
Animal Collective – Painting With
The Collective’s tenth album is another patchy reminder of how far they’ve slipped.
2016
David Bowie – Blackstar
David Bowie’s final album, Blackstar, was released just two days before his death.
2015
Majical Cloudz – Are You Alone?
Are You Alone is the fourth and final studio album from Canadian duo Majical Cloudz.
2014
Interpol – El Pintor
Interpol’s fifth album isn’t a rekindling of old fires, more so a chilled, mutual acceptance from a band that is letting things roll as smoothly as can be
2013
Deerhunter – Monomania
Deerhunter's sixth album is their most imposing and courageous release to date.
2012
Fiona Apple – The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than The Driver Of The Screw And Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do
The fourth studio album from Fiona Apple is a thoughtful fusion of high art and adult contemporary.
2011
Iceage – New Brigade
The stellar debut from Copenhagen’s Iceage balances the rhythmic tension of Postcard Records with the snotty viciousness of late 70s California hardcore punk.
2011
PJ Harvey – Let England Shake
In Let England Shake, Harvey adjusts her helmet and belts her soldier’s rifle to her hip—instead of stories from the sea, she reflects upon the consequences of being a military man in the trenches.
2010
Weezer – Hurley
Weezer’s eighth studio album is plagued by all of the band’s now familiar problems.
Features
2026
Every Weezer Album Ranked From Worst to Best
Of all the modern rock discographies to rank, Weezer’s is probably the trickiest. When a band divides opinion this sharply—even within their own fanbase—you know consensus is out of the question. And yet here we are, ranking Weezer’s fifteen studio albums regardless.
2026
Black Tambourine Interview (2010)
In 2010, influential cult band Black Tambourine were experiencing a surge of momentum. Our interview captures the mood of this period, as we explore their lasting legacy and efforts to share their music more broadly, hoping to break their best-kept secret status.
2025
The Best Idlewild Songs, Ranked
With the release of their self-titled 10th album, Juan reflects on the cult Scottish rockers' career.