Mark Kozolek has recorded a fully acoustic, classical-tinged piece of understated beauty, even if it is essentially a solo record.

The New York City-based psych-punks give testament to something that’s been an important combatant to authority, hegemony and control for ages now, and the mantra might go a little something like this: Rock’n’roll kicks major ass.

The daring, star-spangled collaboration between Mark Linkous and Brian Burton finally gets an official release, proving well worth the wait for anyone unlucky enough to not have heard it before.

The Paris-based American expat's cleverly titled debut LP finds her playing the questioning, struggling rap artist, nervous about the implications of fame and money coming so easily. Given the leaden and numbing quality of her music, she shouldn’t worry so much.

The experimental Finnish group's occasional detours into more accessible territory suggest that they could make an album for the masses if they wanted to, but instead choose to push the envelope. The results are interesting and admirable, though not especially fun to listen to.

Maya Arulpragasam returns for her third album with production help from Rusko, Diplo, and Sleigh Bells’ Derek E. Miller to turn in an altogether disappointing followup to her smash success, Kala.

On the Dutch band’s debut album, it’s back to the basics with gloomy and sweetly melancholy lo-fi songs that are often close to reaching classic folk perfection.