Believe the Hype - No Ripcord Recommendations

  • Alvvays Blue Rev

    After the Earthquake provides the first glimpse of jangle and power-pop, the latter being a prevalent influence throughout. Historically, Alvvays have always been happy to tap into their love of Teenage Fanclub, but Blue Rev suggests they’ve ventured far further down the power-pop rabbit-hole in recent years. There are fleeting glimpses of Big Star naturally, but The dBs also spring to mind, especially in the sinewy guitar run that sparks Earthquake to life. It’s not quite the riff from Black and White, but it’s equally potent.
  • Beth Orton Weather Alive

    Beth Orton's career is one of resilience and pure talent, an artist who never stopped creating despite occasionally operating on the fringes of mainstream success. The folk-leaning UK singer-songwriter's stunning eighth LP couldn't be a more perfect introduction for those unfamiliar with her work, where she beckons the natural forces that move us through life with a steady, contemplative mood piece.
  • Sudan Archives Natural Brown Prom Queen

    Natural Born Prom Queen finds strength in its nonlinearity, where Parks' resplendent R&B takes creative detours that mirror her stream-of-consciousness thoughts. Her biting observations, filled with a tapestry of intricate beat constructions, feel like listening to a fever dream that begs repeated listens.
  • 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.
  • Spiritualized Everything Was Beautiful

    Throughout his 30-year-run as the musical force behind Spiritualized, Jason Pierce has underplayed the space-rock project's ambitions with a touch of humor and pathos. On his ninth LP, the English musician continues to poke a little fun at his own expense, alluding to being in a state of perpetual medical dependence while reveling in the joy of being human.
  • Wet Leg Wet Leg

    Wet Leg’s hotly anticipated self-titled debut is no slapped-together producer’s vision of what the kids should like. Its authenticity is what makes it so addictive, so accessible.
  • Nilüfer Yanya PAINLESS

    Nilüfer Yanya draws strength from her emotional resilience on PAINLESS. If the title to the West London singer-songwriter's second LP states otherwise, it's the sort of defense mechanism she's developed since 2019's breakthrough debut album Miss Universe.
  • Big Thief Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You

    To borrow a turn of phrase, Big Thief focus on, quite literally, the journey and not the destination. The result is the most compelling case in years on the potential of the journey—the insights to be gleaned, the friendships to be strengthened, your own potential waiting to be untapped. Albums like Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You make you believe in magic again.
  • 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 color outside the lines.
  • Ovlov Buds

    Despite getting out their humorous side in song titles and social media, Ovlov nonetheless funnel all their passion and expertise into their exhilarating sound.