FLOOD

For Wire fanatics, this often-coarse collection of Chairs Missing/154-era demos is a necessity.

On the extended mixes that fill the box set, one could argue that the stutter and stretch of Grandmaster Flash at his finest is like listening to Miles Davis transition out of post-bop and into the roar of fusion funk.

This show and its material have long been part of the public ledger, but never with such stunning clarity—you can almost feel Prince’s crushed velvet duster breezing by you from the stage.

15 titles to keep an eye out for at your local indie record shop this Saturday.

The sonic vibe of Mike Hadreas’ latest is an extension of the experimentalism of Set My Heart on Fire Immediately and its earthen elements of chamber art-pop, wonky R&B, spindly goth-industrial, and ever-so-decadent disco.

The Kentucky-based songwriter’s sophomore LP basks in Southern glow with just a little more lean toward ennui and existential dilemma than the scarred specifics of her debut.

There’s a reedy feeling on these B-sides, covers, and primal versions of familiar attacks on aristocracy that highlight Johnny Rotten’s role as the last great rebellious frontman.

Will Brooks—a.k.a. MC Dälek—talks the past and future of his longstanding rap project and the shadow and shade of their latest LP.

The legendary keyboardist, composer, and collaborator to Gil Scott-Heron strikes out on his own for the first time in a minute.

This essential reissue ties together most of what the group recorded in studio and demo sessions after the “Radio Clash” 12-inch—plus their collaboration with late toaster Ranking Roger on a separate EP.

On his latest solo venture, Styles smooths out the influences so prevalent on Fine Line in order to make a brassy and clingingly contagious new album.

Roxy Music’s lounge-lizard crooner interprets a handful of classic pop songs across the decades without concern for genre or an era’s agenda.

These two live collections are exceptional examples of the Stones at their grungy, brassy, ballsy finest—and sharp, sad reminders of what it truly means to have lost drummer Charlie Watts.

The full-bodied anniversary collection paints a wilder portrait of Jones’ debut, displaying a surprising angularity and nervous energy.

Over 20 years since their sole album together, the latest from Yasiin Bey and Talib Kweli never reaches the skies of their debut, or the full flower of the talents of anyone involved.

The New Zealand–born filmmaker’s new concert film hits theaters tomorrow.

In the final quarter of the first season of HBO’s sporting dramedy, we look at one of its central players.

These three all-rarities packages from the Birmingham sonic-collage duo create a cinematic experience from refurbished unused material.

25 titles to keep an eye out for at your local indie record shop this Saturday.

Compiling and curating rarities, and putting them next to newly remastered, raw-knuckled classics, this box set takes the form of something frank and fresh rather than merely ruminative.