The Baltimore duo Wye Oak releases the blustery and mysterious Civilian on March 8. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Shai Wosner has achieved success on the concert stage, and now he is releasing a recording. Onyx Classics hide caption

In "NatGeo," the inventive Alabama hip-hop duo G-Side works with a Norwegian and rhymes over Enya samples. Renalda "R-Dot" Douglas/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Oliver Sim, Romy Madley Croft and Jamie Smith are The XX. Torre Hallas hide caption

"Don't underestimate the things that I will do," Adele sings in "Rolling in the Deep." It's good advice. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Though its members don't work in the same room, Bikini crafts terrific electro-pop songs like "American Mourning." Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Very little is jazzy or routine about The Winston Jazz Routine. courtesy of the artist hide caption

Johannes chronicles the loss of his wife in heartbreaking, vivid detail throughout the deeply felt "Speechless." Courtesy of Ipecac Records hide caption

Tracey Thorn's third album focuses on the small details in life: weddings, singles bars and the size of one's jeans. Edward Bishop hide caption

Loretta Lynn (middle) performs onstage at the CMAs in Novemner. Sheryl Crow (left) and Miranda Lambert sang with her. Frederick Breedon/FilmMagic hide caption

Dan Sartain's "Walk Among the Cobras IV" channels deep hurt into a dark but upbeat two-minute release. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

South African singer Miriam Makeba in 1978. STF/AFP hide caption

Jimi Hendrix. Sony Music hide caption

An early glimpse at what would become a big band, "Them (Pop Song #3333)" sounds approachable and introspective. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

In "Colours," the L.A. rock band Grouplove makes wild, thrilling and above all joyful noise. Courtesy of the artist hide caption