New Reviews for March 29, 2024

Evolution
Valory
A bright, cheerful revival of the poppier aspects of the 2023 inductee to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
- Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Interplay
Wichita / Wichita Recordings
The seventh album from these shoegaze giants (and third since reuniting) explores synth pop, spacy electronics, and other territory new to them.
- Fred Thomas
Switched On, Vols. 1-5
Duophonic / Warp
A comprehensive box set of the band's singles and rarities collections that completes their fascinating, innovative body of work.
- Heather Phares
Mind, Man, Medicine
New West
Brimming with warmth and composure hard-won through motherhood and the pandemic, the duo's fifth album is even more stylistically broad.
- Marcy Donelson
Moves in the Field
Warp
The experimental composer utilizes a programmable instrument to create an understated yet otherworldly sound environment made up primarily of acoustic piano sounds.
- Fred Thomas
Exotic Birds of Prey
Sub Pop
Rap
This seven-song offering from Ishmael Butler and friends speeds through moments of futuristic sci-fi rap, wobbly formlessness, and electro throwbacks.
- Fred Thomas
The Garden Dream
Secretly Canadian
Ella Smoker's full-length debut was inspired by intimate songwriters like Elliott Smith and Alex G as well as a lush, layered approach to production.
- Marcy Donelson
All Hits: Memories
Drag City
First solo release from the Australian drummer and Dirty Three co-founder, co-produced by Fugazi's Guy Picciotto.
- Paul Simpson
The Hoople
AllMusic Staff Pick - March 29, 2024
1974
Released 50 years ago today, Mott the Hoople's first album without guitarist and sounding board Mick Ralphs still delivers glammy punchy rock with Ian Hunter virtually alone at the helm. The hits hit hard, including the piano driven rave-up "The Golden Age of Rock & Roll" featuring a throwback '50s horn section, and the undeniable orgiastic strut of "Roll Away the Stone."
- Zac Johnson