Music Reviews

In "Turn Off This Song and Go Outside," The Lonely Forest urges listeners to get out of their own heads. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Rooted in early-20th-century blues and jazz, Davina and the Vagabonds' "lipstickandchrome" is freshened up with modern sass. Ezra Moore hide caption

Thelonious Monk, photographed at Minton's Playhouse in 1947. William Gottlieb/Library of Congress via Flickr hide caption

Violinist Julia Fischer. Uwe Arens/Decca/courtesy of the artist hide caption

Buddy Holly. Popperfoto/Popperfoto/Getty Images hide caption

Vieux Farka Toure's "Borei" has all the energy of classic African pop, paired with exuberant call-and-response vocals and blistering guitar solos. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

The Whisperlights' "Eaten Alive" practically oozes soothing melodies and warm textures that wash over whimsical guitars. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Molly Sweeney's poison-pen seduction in "You Mustn't Worry" traces the way loyalty can tilt toward obsession. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Cass McCombs' "County Line" would fit well on the radio in 1957, sandwiched between Ricky Nelson and Bobby Darin. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

When Le Trio Joubran unleashes its pent-up passions in a racing pulse, "Nawwar" is hypnotic and bliss-inducing. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

A series of albums is helping to spread the word about the music of Andrrzej Panufnik. Andre Dzierzynski/Courtesy of CPO Records hide caption

The Belgian girls' choir Scala transforms Lamb's "Gorecki" into something more cautious and introspective. Fratelli BVBA hide caption