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The Concerto: A 400-Year-Old Recipe That Still Cooks

American composer John Adams has written a new concerto for saxophone. Nonesuch hide caption

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Nonesuch

Deceptive Cadence

The Concerto: A 400-Year-Old Recipe That Still Cooks

In the tradition of Vivaldi's Four Seasons, composers from Japan, Armenia and the U.S. paint colorful pictures by posing soloists in front of orchestras.

The Concerto: A 400-Year-Old Recipe That Still Cooks

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From Jack White, A Fierce New Record Raised In Captivity

Jack White's first solo album was the sound of heartbreak. His latest, Lazaretto, feels more like isolation. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

From Jack White, A Fierce New Record Raised In Captivity

Whether he's producing, leading a band or on his own, White continues to evolve with each project. His first solo album was the sound of heartbreak, but the new Lazaretto feels more like isolation.

From Jack White, A Fierce New Record Raised In Captivity

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John Fullbright's Uneven 'Songs' Finds A Way To Fascinate

John Fullbright's new album is called Songs. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

John Fullbright's Uneven 'Songs' Finds A Way To Fascinate

Fresh Air

Songs feels like the work of an artist who's still figuring out who he is, where he wants to go, and what he wants to elaborate upon — or invent anew.

John Fullbright's Uneven 'Songs' Finds A Way To Fascinate

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Review: Hundred Waters, 'The Moon Rang Like A Bell'

Hundred Waters' new album, The Moon Rang Like a Bell, comes out May 27. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

Review: Hundred Waters, 'The Moon Rang Like A Bell'

All over its darkly shimmering second album, the band showcases a remarkable ability to pull listeners' strings. Hundred Waters' members make music to burrow deep into, to obsess over.

The Moon Rang Like A Bell

Audio for First Listens is no longer available after the album's release.
Review: Lee Bains III + The Glory Fires, 'Dereconstructed'

Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires' new album, Dereconstructed, comes out May 27. Wes Frazer/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Wes Frazer/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

Review: Lee Bains III + The Glory Fires, 'Dereconstructed'

On its second album, the band is intense enough to refresh the Southern-rock legacy it's joined. Throughout Dereconstructed, its members examine the fight to claim a home that can drive you crazy.

Dereconstructed

Audio for First Listens is no longer available after the album's release.
Sylvan Esso: Finding Humanity Between The Synths

Vocalist Amelia Meath and electronic musician Nick Sanborn are Sylvan Esso. DL Anderson/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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DL Anderson/Courtesy of the artist

Sylvan Esso: Finding Humanity Between The Synths

The duo's self-titled debut brims with slow tempos and spacious electronic arrangements, making plenty of room for the gorgeous vocals of folk veteran Amelia Meath.

Sylvan Esso: Finding Humanity Between The Synths

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Is The 'Xscape' Deluxe Version Worth It? 3 Words: Michael Jackson Demos

The deluxe version of Xscape features Michael Jackson's original demos, before the songs were "contemporized" for the album. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Is The 'Xscape' Deluxe Version Worth It? 3 Words: Michael Jackson Demos

For Xscape, Timbaland and other producers flesh out various songs the King of Pop never finished. But the demos included in the expanded edition provide a rare glimpse into Jackson's creative process.

Is The 'Xscape' Deluxe Version Worth It? 3 Words: Michael Jackson Demos

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Ray LaMontagne Finds The Bright Side On 'Supernova'

Ray LaMontagne's new album is called Supernova. Samantha Casolari/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Samantha Casolari/Courtesy of the artist

Ray LaMontagne Finds The Bright Side On 'Supernova'

Fresh Air

The achievement of Supernova is that, five albums in, LaMontagne hasn't settled into a formula or a fall-back recurring mood. Here, the singer-songwriter explores a sunny, psychedelic side.

Ray LaMontagne Finds The Bright Side On 'Supernova'

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tUnE-yArDs: Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing

tUnE-yArDs. Holly Andres/Courtesy of the artist. hide caption

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Holly Andres/Courtesy of the artist.

tUnE-yArDs: Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing

Fresh Air

On Nikki Nack, Merrill Garbus worries over the notion that she's just an accumulation of her influences, and she fights back wonderfully.

tUnE-yArDs: Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing

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Review: Agalloch, 'The Serpent & The Sphere'

Agalloch's new album, The Serpent & The Sphere, comes out May 13. Veleda Thorsson /Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Veleda Thorsson /Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

Review: Agalloch, 'The Serpent & The Sphere'

Yet another metallic masterpiece from the Portland band, The Serpent & The Sphere feels like a film shot out of sequence, with "Eureka!" moments hidden throughout.

The Serpent & The Sphere

Audio for First Listens is no longer available after the album's release.
The Animals: The British Invasion That Wasn't

The Animals. Courtesy of ABKCO Records hide caption

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Courtesy of ABKCO Records

The Animals: The British Invasion That Wasn't

Fresh Air

Largely ignored today, the rough-and-tumble quintet from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne gets reassessed in a new box set, titled The Mickie Most Years & More.

The Animals: The British Invasion That Wasn't

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