Will Hermes
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Ibibio Sound Machine is an Anglo-African band from London, and they've teamed up with Hot Chip to create the album Electricity. Together, they balance African funk with British electronica.
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Neneh Cherry started her music a career in a punk rock band, then she started rapping. Her new album, Broken Politics is a philosophical meditation on staying strong in trying times.
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British soul singer Sam Smith's debut LP, In The Lonely Hour, showcased his remarkable voice. It was one of the best-selling records of 2014, won four Grammys, and drew comparisons to Adele. His second collection is titled The Thrill Of It All. Music critic Will Hermes says each track on the record is elevated by Smith's voice into something magnificent, that feels vintage, and at the same time, brand new.
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Music critic Will Hermes has been won over by the remarkably beautiful, pure voice of Joan Shelley. He reviews her new album, Over and Even.
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With a name like Destroyer, you might expect a heavy metal band. Led by musician Dan Bejar, the band's latest album, Poison Season, has a lighter sound with interesting, uniquely delivered lyrics.
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NPR music critic Will Hermes reviews an album that contains the best storytelling he's heard in a long time. It's the debut album from Courtney Barnett.
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Music critic Will Hermes reviews the latest album from Perfume Genius, Too Bright.
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The 23-year-old country-rock singer's fine new album thrives on her iconoclastic vision. Along the way, the invokes the name and spirit of everyone from Steve Earle to French poet Paul Verlaine.
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As the androgynous vocal half of Rhye, Michael Milosh keeps himself enshrouded in mystery. But his new solo album is more revealing, forthcoming, sexy and domestic.
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With a new record, the band Arcade Fire is trying to top their 2011 release, which won a Grammy for Album of the Year. Critic Will Hermes says that on Reflektor, they turn to dance music to try to reinvigorate their sound.