Neil Young – Psychedelic Pill
“The king of the left turn” is how Stephen Stills recently described Neil Young. Stills ought to know. As Young’s bandmate in Buffalo Springfield; Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young; and The Stills-Young Band, he’s been a party to many of Young’s various incarnations: folkie, hippie, rocker, superstar. But what makes Young compelling isn’t just the fact he evolves—it’s that his leaps happen sharply, erratically, and often perversely. In an industry that traditionally tries to cage and tame artists, Young has routinely chewed his own leg off to escape expectation—some notable examples being the futuristic Trans, the retro Everybody’s Rockin’, and the noisy Arc. “King” is a weighted word to use when discussing Young; this is the same guy who wrote the line, “The king is gone, but he’s not forgotten,” turning Johnny Rotten from punk villain to folk hero with the stroke of a pen and a pick. Read the full review on AV Club

Andrew Bird – Hands of Glory
Hands of Glory possesses an almost academic quality, as though Bird and his cohorts were presenting a musical essay about endtimes imagery in country music. The album begins with “Three White Horses”, which, thanks to Bird’s bowing, sounds like it’s coming from an old acetate. That song is followed by a cover of the Handsome Family’s “When That Helicopter Comes”, an oddball gospel that deploys Alan Hampton’s bouncy bass and Bird’s otherworldly bow as a soundtrack to separatist paranoia: “There’ll be power in the blood, when the helicopters come.” Bird switches theologies for “Orpheo”, an austere reimagining of the spry “Orpheo Looks Back” from Break It Yourself, which thrives on the empty spaces between the strums and plucks, such that his gentle falsetto at the end has a beseeching effect. Only “Railroad Bill”, with its aw-shucks lyrics hoots and hollers, sounds out of place. Read the full review on Pitchfork

Neurosis – Honor Found in Decay
Surely, at some point in their long, storied careers Neurosis have felt an intense pressure or moment of weakness. After all, it only makes sense. A band can only perform for so long at such quality before things start to get trying. Yet for the last two decades the metal titans have made it all seem so effortless. High quality, genre defining records and releases are simply the band going through the motions. At this point, it is not only likely, but expected that Neurosis will provide a fresh and incredible experience with each new release. And as typical fashion, the Oakland post-metal outfit does not disappoint. Their latest, Honor Found in Decay, is as challenging and engrossing a record as they have ever produced and an incredible celebration of the band’s legendary career as well. Read the full review on Sputnik Music