Noteworthy

These artists are “bringing back the instrumental”—and reminding us that yes, indeed, well-crafted instrumental music can tell great stories.

Dream Louder drips with talent, but it is not mere “musician’s music”—technical pyrotechnics without soul. In fact, it is one of those rare jazz albums that even non-jazz fans can deeply enjoy.

Many could stand to expand their holiday soundtrack palette. Toward that end, here are two suggestions, one old and underappreciated, one contemporary but not exactly mainstream, both of which were re-released in new editions this year.

Dolly Parton has always been a rockstar. Nonetheless, we can count our lucky stars that she decided to record a rock album. The genre is better for it.

Much jazz revels in the obscure, eschewing the pleasing consonances of more popular music. But in Lage’s hands, the genre’s extended harmonic palette is instead used to milk maximum expressiveness from more familiar sonic territory.

Hear the Beatles' last song, Tom Bukovac's Plexi Soul (now on vinyl), a new Van Morrison record that makes sitting still impossible, and more.

Alice Sara Ott releases a deluxe edition of her Echoes of Life, Duran Duran unearths a Halloween-themed dance-party soundtrack perfect for zombies, werewolves, and witches—and more.

Robbie Robertson comes around full circle, The Rolling Stones show some new colors, Glen Hansard stares melancholy firmly in the face, and Dave Barnes wields old tricks for new delights.

Two widely celebrated guitarists recently released new records. They represent not merely different musical approaches appropriate to their different genres, but two divergent worldviews.

Welcome to “Noteworthy,” a periodic update on new music and related news. This week’s noteworthy picks span the musical universe.