

At first listen, Big Thief’s third LP looked like a tough nut to crack, way less immediate than “Capacity”. You won’t find “U.F.O.F.”’s beauty through background listening while you send passive-agressive emails, are stuck in traffic, or go through tons of lines of code. It needs your full attention to be properly rewarding. Try it later today. Plus: new songs by Anna Tivel, Aldous Harding, Aviva le Fey, Kassi Valazza, Frankie Lee, Nataly Dawn, Sam Outlaw, Calexico and Iron & Wine, The Felice Brothers, Fruit Bats, Super Doppler, Nev Cottee Band, black midi, Stef Chura, Titus Andronicus, Tropical Fuck Storm, Altın Gün, Kate Tempest, Cate Le Bon, Julia Shapiro (Chastity Belt), and Vampire Weekend.
Conor Oberst and Phoebe Bridgers have just dropped a surprise in the form of a collaborative LP, Better Oblivion Community Center. It ended up being, of course, our album of the week. Plus: brand new songs by Heather Woods Broderick, Sharon Van Etten, Lambchop, Lady Lamb, Vampire Weekend, Jenny Lewis, Ryan Adams, Robert Ellis, Michaela Anne, I’m With Her, Sallim, Hand Habits, White Fence, Julia Jacklin, the Mountain Goats, Michael Chapman, and Twain.