
A new Ray Charles reissue finds the maestro in thrilling form in Switzerland—and those Quincy Jones charts are just gravy.

On his latest, syllable-twisting conspiracy theorist Ab-Soul becomes so information-obsessed that he loses sight of actual meaning. The songs are empty riddles, leading nowhere and saying nothing.

Intended as a rallying cry against shifting trends, Pantera's most abrasive album comes off more like a cry for help that reveals the turmoil eating the band from within. It's also thrilling.

The Return of East Atlanta Santa leans on the lighter, more playful side of Gucci’s personality. You can hear him settling into his clean post-prison lifestyle and his new, clearer voice.











Beyoncé, Kanye, Kendrick, Chance, and more of the best televised performances of 2016

Have yourself a merry little playlist with David Bowie, Darlene Love, Sufjan Stevens, the Waitresses, and more


With the power of an orchestra behind her, Mica Levi provides a melancholy pulse for Jackie's portrait of a seemingly unknowable historical figure.

Scott Mescudi’s latest tome, the 87-minute Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin’, is the most focused he’s sounded since 2010’s Man on the Moon II, with the same drawbacks that have always plagued him.

The Ithaca, N.Y. rapper/producer Sammus writes at the intersection of race, womanhood, sexuality, and nerdiness. Pieces in Space is her strongest work to date.

After years of mixtapes, erstwhile Odd Future rapper and MellowHype MC releases his debut album. He sounds completely unmoored, stuck somewhere between punchline rapper, storyteller, and moralist.