Japanese Music 2016

A pioneering indie-rock band continues its comeback streak. More sure-footed—and fun—than 2014’s Indie Cindy, Head Carrier bears the hallmarks of classic Pixies: Weird yet pretty, violent yet tender, and as reliant on sweet ‘60s harmonies as the rough edges of post-punk. See the oblique surf rock of “Classic Masher” (which could’ve made the band’s underrated Bossanova) or the rangy, folk-influenced “Tenement Song,” which harkens back to Doolittle.

Extended version of 2015's critically acclaimed "Music Complete" by New Order. This two disc set features the first CD release of the extended versions as included within the limited edition vinyl box set (including two versions exclusive to this package).

Replica, retro-synth drone maven Daniel Lopatin's return as Oneohtrix Point Never following his critically adored, profile-rocketing 2010 album Returnal (and his equally estimable work with Ford & Lopatin), offers repeat customers both familiarity and surprise in roughly equal measure. In the former column, Lopatin still grounds his creations in conspicuously beautiful, buzzing, humming, and twinkling Kosmiche synthscapes; once again, everything feels draped in a syrupy, soft-focus analog glaze. But only one track, the aptly titled "Submersible," sustains itself on warmly drifting, rhythmically unfettered synthetic sound washes alone…

The music on this recital was specifically written or arranged for duo violinists Angela and Jennifer Chun. It highlights the personal and professional connections between Philip Glass and Nico Muhly, a longtime colleague and admirer of Glass's work. Glass's miniaturist works, Mad Rush and In the Summer House, create a maximum effect when paired with Muhly's minimalist Four Studies and Honest Music.