The Lacking Permanence

Dark and light, sparse and lush, this is an album of dynamics and contrast, fronted by an angelic female voice.

Funky urban hip hop and soul is not something you expect to come from North of the Border, but here we have Grand Analog, who does it all and does it well.

A master songwriter effortlessly putting out majestic compositions that will stick in your head for weeks.

Great singalong spirit, hot flaming hooks, and actual things to say.

Dense arrangements make for a hallucinatory experience as each song feels like a symphony passing you by at light speed.

Pitch perfect UK reggae from the Slits vocalist, full of heavenly harmonies and thumping bass.

Soulful beats in the style of old-school acid jazz, mostly instrumental.

Even obscurists get to form supergroups, and Filthy Friends is one of the top entries in that category, with membership from Sleater-Kinney, the Young Fresh Fellows, the Fastbacks, and more.

High-order guitar instrumentals more concerned with melody and expression than pyrotechnics. Truly ear-opening.

Like getting picked up by the scruff of your neck and smashed into a wall of orange Jello, Swarming Branch gets your attention with the warping and weaving of "Zsazsur's Real Estate Song".