On 'Arkinetics,' drummer/composer Dan Kurfirst goes beyond just a set of rhythmic patterns and delivers something compelling.
On 'Passing' Matthew J Rolin shows what an inventive and inspired (mostly) acoustic guitar album should sound like.
Jenn Vix goes for the jugular with her latest single "Mr. Strange," and grabs it full-on.
On ‘What Do Whales Dream About at Night?’ Jessie Kilguss has delivered an engaging, sophisticated pop album.
Brookly artist Nisa is able to spice up the songs on 'Exaggerate' with some intriguing left-field pop elements.
On 'Desert Power,' jRadax delivers an intriguing set of left-field electronic/rap/ambient songs.
Jeremy Nail's 'Behind the Lights' is an album full of firmly focused, expressive songs that work both musically and lyrically.
With ‘Yellowthroat’, Fred Abong has delivered a very intriguing collection of left-field music that begs to be heard.
In 'Kachii: Traditions to Traditions,' Yaya Diallo and his collective are able to strike an excellent musical balance between traditional African and standard Western instruments.
9m88 ("Jom-Baba") delivers a quality take on modern R&B that blends her Eastern and Western sensibilities.
Denver quartet The Barlow locate their music in the essence of Americana sound with 'New Year, Old Me.'
Honesty and personal introspection work for singer-songwriter Zach Churchill on his latest single "Surrender."
On 'Fits and Starts and Stops' Seth Adam delivers an album in the best tradition of classic rock which references Americana throughout.
The California Honeydrops cover a gamut of styles on 'Soft Spot' with sophistication and ease.
On 'Unwind' singer-songwriter Marty Thompson takes the psych jam route with firm and assured steps.
On the aptly titled 'Ocean Letters,' Danish singer-songwriter Hannah Schneider is able to skip across genres like an ocean breeze.
On 'I get along without you very well', Ellen Arkbro & Johan Graden come up with musical explorations that are at the same time experimental, meditative, and introspective.
"The World's Gone Up In Smoke" delivers a thoughtful song about the world's environmental crisis by 19-year-old singer/songwriter, Johanna Dadap.
On 'Between All Things,' through their ambient approach, OHMA is able to aurally fill the gap between all things, real or imagined.
With 'Creatures,' RPxSB certainly deliver the longest, and possibly one of the more inventive hip-hop albums this year.
Taylor Alexander delivers an excellent baroque pop/Americana combination on 'Hymns for a Hollow Earth.'
The Empty Pocket's 'Outside Spectrum' could easily be a whole night's worth of songs in a classic piano bar, existing in a reality, isolated from modern times.
With 'Love of the Tiger' guitarist/vocalist Dida Pelled shows what crossover jazz should really sound like.
Authenticity is an absolute must for any quality work of art. As is talent. Nate Paladino's 'Drown with Me' oozes plenty of both.