Best New Music

Phil Elverum recently took an extended break from touring to record two albums in a studio he built in a deconsecrated church. The first of these albums makes a vast, cool sanctuary of itself and quietly beckons you into it.

Based on his most recent London club night, the English DJ/producer's 3xCD contribution to Ministry of Sounds's "Masterpiece" series is a collection of remixes that showcase his idiosyncratic way of forging links between the underground and more populist fare.

There's evidence all over Grass Widow's third album that the San Francisco post-punk band has spent the two years since its last album tightening its sound. It's an approach that feels more personal and self-contained than it does trendy.

The English duo's latest studio album backs away from the darkness of 2010's Delicacies and moves toward the pleasure principle once again.

The Copenhagen group's second album is a hook-laden prog-pop opus that bridges whatever currently falls under the heading of "post rock" with the past five years of flannel-wearing American indie.

Best New Music

Featuring guest spots from Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire, Danny Brown, and a snarling Killer Mike, El-P's first album since putting Def Jux on hiatus in early 2010 marks a break from the old order and another call to arms.

The Baltimore noise-rock quartet's sophomore album, their first for Drag City, finds them softening their sound but still nailing the sweet spot between savagery and self-awareness.

The Vampire Weekend bassist's first solo outing feels connected to his playing in his usual band but also extends far from anything on Vampire Weekend's records.

The Detroit producer and fashion photographer's first album for Scuba mastermind Paul Rose's Hotflush label might make you want to take a shower.

Formed after the suicide of the bassist from their previous group, Texas duo Pinkish Black offer a dark blend of death-rock, metal, punk, and synthesized drone on their self-titled debut.