Masego/ ‘Lady Lady’/ Independent

With this debut album fusing soul, trap, R&B, jazz, rap and dance, the globetrotting multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter and producer proves that 2018 is his breakout year. The LP features SiR, FKJ, Dewayne Jackson, Tiffany Gouche and Kehlani, showcasing the many sides of “one of music’s most promising chameleons” (NPR Music) with a style that, according to Vogue, “exudes the same smooth and lavish energy that’s become his musical signature.”

Contact: Nina Lee

Ben Danaher/ ‘Still Feel Lucky’/ Soundly Music

Born in the wake of his brother’s murder and his father passing from cancer, this debut album by the Nashville newcomer draws from pain and loss. However, he does not rely on self-pity; Danaher instead uses music to journey towards peace, growth and even joy. The album features the Maren Morris co-penned “Hell or Highwater” and a mix of character studies and inward revelations inspired by fellow troubadours Guy Clark, Rodney Crowell and Townes Van Zandt.

Contact: Jaclyn D. Carter

Ana Popovic/ ‘Likes It On Top’/ Independent

One of the world’s most respected blues guitarists releases a new 10-track concept LP exploring different aspects of female empowerment. Produced by GRAMMY-winner Keb' Mo', the album covers both autobiographical and universal statements for all women: desire and fantasy, empowerment for your craft, confronting macho-male attitudes, escaping abusive marriages and how to have a strong man as your partner.

Contact: Jaclyn D. Carter

Asleep At The Wheel/ ‘New Routes’/ Thirty Tigers

The legendary eight-piece collective reinvents itself on its first collection of new material in over a decade, embarking on a new chapter in the group’s 48-year history. The 11-track collection of country, jazz, jump blues, rockabilly, Western swing and folk offers a blend of originals, including Ray Benson’s first co-write with a band member since the ‘80s, vibrant covers and a guest vocal appearance by The Avett Brothers’ Seth and Scott Avett.

Contact: Jaclyn D. Carter

Alejandro Escovedo

Alejandro Escovedo/ ‘The Crossing’/ Yep Roc

The Mexican-American punk veteran’s new concept album tells a story of two young immigrants, Salvo from Italy and Diego from Mexico, in search of the American Dream. Mirroring Escovedo’s own experience as the child of Mexican immigrants, their journey navigates cultural identity, ancestral weight, minority rights and racism as they realize they’ve arrived in a different America – one that’s not as open and free as they believed it would be. The album features contributions from MC5’s Wayne Kramer, The Stooges’ James Williamson, Joe Ely, The Only Ones and more.

Contact: Amy Bailey

Loudon Wainwright III

Loudon Wainwright III/ ‘Years in the Making’/ StorySound Records

This two-disc compendium highlights 45 years of rare and unissued music written by one of America's most enduring songwriters. The “audio-biography” features orphaned album cuts, live recordings, radio appearances and home demos that offer a never-before-seen perspective on Loudon’s public and private selves. Notable figures from Loudon’s life pop up throughout as well: Kate McGarrigle, Suzzy Roche, Bill Frisell, Van Dyke Parks, Chaim Tannenbaum, David Mansfield, Steve Goodman, George Gerdes and Wainwright children Rufus, Martha, Lucy and Lexie.

Contact: Spencer Roth-Rose

Emma Louise/ ‘Lilac Everything’/ Liberation Records/AWAL

Emma’s pitched-down vocals on lead single “Wish You Well” sets the haunting tone on the Australian songwriter’s lush, piano-driven new record. The alteration of her “effortless, naturally affecting voice” (Rolling Stone) colors the entire album in an otherworldly haze, from the swaying croon of “Falling Apart” to the horn and string-heavy “Never Making Plans Again.” Tobias Jess Jr. also makes his debut as a co-producer, who signed on after Emma cold-emailed him her demos.

Contact: Ally Norton

The Dirty Nil/ ‘Master Volume’/ Dine Alone Records

These Canadian rock juggernauts have been moshing their way through North America’s grimiest basements and loudest clubs for years, and their new LP multiplies their JUNO-winning sound to stadium-filling, nosebleed-reaching dimensions. Asserting a technically informed yet polish-free style, the band proves their punk mastery that had made fans of Vice Noisey and Stereogum.

Contact: Hannah Schwartz

WNYC More Perfect/ ’27: The Most Perfect Album’/ WNYC Studios

Dolly Parton, Devendra Banhart, They Might Be Giants and more contribute new music to WNYC’s More Perfect podcast’s compilation inspired by the 27 amendments to the US Constitution. From country music and mariachi to folk and punk rock, all of the participating artists interpret each of the amendments in their own distinct styles.

Contact: Kerri Brusca

Arlie/ ‘Wait’/ Atlantic Records

The Nashville four-piece has grown from the DIY house party scene to playing Bonnaroo and bills with Rostam and Cold War Kids, as well as garnering millions of streams. Now the band takes its next step with a major label debut EP. It’s a classicist take on DIY pop, from the washed-out synths of “barcelona boots” to the psychedelic ballad “too long” and the self-deprecating and tropical “tossing and turning.”

Contact: Greg Jakubik

Amy Helm/ ‘This Too Shall Light’/ Yep Roc

Helm left her family studio in Woodstock, NY, for the LA studio where The Beach Boys recorded Pet Sounds – and made her most vibrant record. Helm and GRAMMY-winning producer Joe Henry pulled from decades of Americana – from Allen Toussaint to the Milk Carton Kids – writing new originals and arrangements of tributes to the late Levon Helm to create a complete portrait of Amy as an artist.

Contact: Amy Bailey

Rockabye Baby!

Rockabye Baby!/ ‘Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of Lady Gaga’/ CMH Label Group

Lady Gaga is the latest artist to have her genre-spanning hits turned into twinkling tunes. This family-friendly collection takes Gaga hits and favorites including “Just Dance,” “Million Reasons” and “Born This Way” and transforms them into xylophone-thumping lullabies.

Contact: Hannah Schwartz

Maxwell/ ‘Embrya’/ Certified Classics/Sony

Maxwell’s pivotal, GRAMMY-nominated 1998 experimental release gets a new reissue in honor of its 20th anniversary. The package includes a 2-LP white vinyl and a new 12-page booklet featuring unseen photos from Mario Sorrenti’s original Embrya photo shoot. The audio has been newly re-mastered by Maxwell and Stuart Matthewman, who has worked with Maxwell for over 20 years and who mixed and co-produced the original album. Additionally, the album’s tracklist has been updated, moving the original opening track to the end.

Contact: Nina Lee

Lucia Micarelli/ ‘An Evening with Lucia Micarelli’/ Arts Music @ Warner Music Group

The violinist, singer and actress continues her tremendous 2018 with her debut live album. These 16 songs come from a live PBS special that has been viewed by millions since premiering nationwide last spring. From the exploratory works of Ravel (“Sonata For Violin And Cello”) to beloved jazz standards (“Nature Boy,” “Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most”) to a strings rendition of Led Zeppelin (“Kashmir”), this diverse setlist brings out the best of the animated and emotional performer hitting her stride.

Contact: Chris Taillie