In “Manning Fireworks,” MJ Lenderman — an indie rock singer-songwriter most known for his distinct alt-country style — broke away from his folky, energetic strings. He tapped into a slower beat, letting his vocals carry him through nine well-composed tracks. Although his gravelly voice was the most highlighted across the songs, Lenderman’s instrumentals were what made almost every song distinct. The album starts off strong with its title track, imitating a young Bob Dylan’s aching voice.
Following a stark and unexpected change in style in their third album, “Typhoons,” Royal Blood sets a more comfortable standard for themselves with their new album, “Back to the Water Below.”
In his 10th studio album, “Freedom’s Goblin,” Ty Segall joins fuzzy guitar with electronic funk. The result exceeds all expectations of what his brand of alternative-rock can be.
The album is...