Kendrick Lamar
Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers
It might not be funtimes, but it is truly, compellingly brilliant
The Arts Desk
The Smile
A Light For Attracting Attention
Diehards should be quite pleased with this release: an utterly satisfying set of songs that stands tall on its own, yet could easily climb the ranks against any of Radiohead's late-era efforts
All Music
Florence + The Machine
Dance Fever
While this effort may not be Welch's surprise transformation into a full-on pop diva, Dance Fever is a generous offering to the goddesses of dance and restorative energy
All Music
Florence + The Machine
Dance Fever
It’s an album that holds so much raw emotion but feels as if it’s depositing small gems of wisdom
Vinyl Chapters
Miranda Lambert
Palomino
Although I personally would love to see her return to long-term producer Frank Liddell just one more time, when I’m not in the mood for Palomino, there are a dozen era-defining albums of hers I can reach back to
Albumism
Florence + The Machine
Dance Fever
The mercurial Dance Fever is a chaotic return to form from more than just a ceaselessly stellar vocalist, and it is Florence + The Machine’s best album in a decade
Albumism
Kendrick Lamar
Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers
This album, like many of his albums, (notably the jazz masterpiece To Pimp A Butterfly,) dabbles in rap form with all sorts of modern music, including classical, funk, pop, and underground
Northern Transmissions
The Black Keys
Dropout Boogie
There’s a sonic variety within the album where each song has its own special quality and it makes for an enjoyable listening experience
Northern Transmissions
Kendrick Lamar
Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers
The rapper's first album in five years sees him overcome "writer's block" to triumph with a collection on which his observational skills go into overdrive
NME
The Smile
A Light For Attracting Attention
A delicately-crafted work fusing experimentalism and sheer sonic beauty, A Light For Attracting Attention stands proudly on its own merits as a top-tier piece of art rock, connections to a certain critically and publicly acclaimed band aside
Sputnik Music (staff)
The Black Keys
Dropout Boogie
Primarily fashioned in Southern rock and soul jams, the Black Keys’ Dropout Boogie will make you do what the name suggests: boogie
PopMatters
Kendrick Lamar
Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers
Musically, lyrically and spiritually, it’s a tour de force that reaches a level few others can. Daring, ambitious and supremely confident, it’s also a very insular and personal album – probably the most personal statement he’s ever made
Dork