(Optional) This text will appear in the inbox preview, but not the email body. AJR OK Orchestra BMG AJR (brothers Adam, Jack and Ryan Met) produces sticky, concise and melodic music. Much of it could be considered pop though that’s not necessarily the trio’s aim. “We want every single song to be a concept that nobody’s ever talked about before,” Ryan says. “We try not to copy ourselves. We just say, ‘Let’s go deeper. Let’s mine even deeper into our lives.'” AJR finds those fathoms in OK Orchestra, their most sonically experimental and emotionally raw album to date. Tomahawk Tonic Immobility Ipecac Recordings It’s been eight long years since Tomahawk — the weirdo-rock supergroup featuring Mike Patton (Faith No More, Mr. Bungle, etc.), Duane Denison (the Jesus Lizard), Trevor Dunn (Mr. Bungle) and John Stanier (Helmet) — graced us with their last album, 2013’s Oddfellows. That drought comes to an end with Tonic Immobility, 12 tracks that span their idiosyncratic career and sound of aggro noise-rock, suspenseful atmospherics, spaghetti western excursions. Expect the unexpected. Neil Young Young Shakespeare WR As an insight into Neil’s prolific song writing at the time, this January 22, 1971 solo show features two songs from the then recently released After The Gold Rush, but four songs from the classic Harvest album that was still over a year away from being released. The wonderful set list also includes acoustic renditions of favorites such as “Ohio”, “Down By The River” and “Sugar Mountain”. Young adds, “Young Shakespeare is a very special event. To my fans, I say this is the best ever.” Nick Jonas Spaceman Island Grammy and Golden Globe nominated singer/songwriter Nick Jonas returns with Spaceman, his third solo album. The album features the title track plus 10 new songs and was largely written and recorded over zoom with Greg Kurstin & Mozella during isolation. Within a few weeks, he found a new sonic landscape that felt both fresh and a nod to the records he loves from the ’80s. Skegss Rehersal Loma Vista Skegss, the Australian 3-piece power trio combine surf, garage, and slacker elements to create their dynamic sound. Produced by Catherine Marks (Manchester orchestra, PJ Harvey, The Killers), Rehearsal provides a thrill ride through the band’s laissez-faire lifestyle and sunkissed narratives of love, friendship and youthful musings. Their newest single, the exhilarating “Valhalla” is an adrenaline shot straight to the heart, delivering the pure indie-rock sounds they’ve become renowned for. Willie Jones Right Now Empire Right Now is a stunning genre-bending production. The project effortlessly segues from feel-good R&B and hip-hop influenced tracks like “Whole Lotta Love” and the T.I.-assisted “Down For It” to infectious pop-country party vibes of “Back Porch” and “Bachelorettes On Broadway.” Bookmarked in between these radio-friendly tracks lies the powerful “American Dream,” a striking reflection on the plight of the Black man in 2021. It’s country storytelling at its finest. Ego Kill Talent The Dance Between Extremes BMG Without borders, we access the ultimate unity. This holds true for Ego Kill Talent. The Sao Paulo, Brazil quintet – Jonathan Correa [vocals], Jean Dolabella [drums, guitar], Raphael Miranda [drums, bass], Niper Boaventura[guitar, bass], and Theo Van Der Loo [bass, guitar] – unite heavy music integrity and pop ambition, universal appeal, South American flavor, tight songcraft, and instrumental fluidity on their second album, The Dance Between Extremes. Industrial Strength Bluegrass: Southwestern Ohio’s Musical Legacy Various Artists Smithsonian Folkways Recordings During the middle decades of the 20th century, the factories of southwestern Ohio drew hundreds of thousands of migrants from Appalachia, including innumerable musicians. Industrial Strength Bluegrass celebrates the music that these migrants made and loved, and explores a pivotal moment in the history of bluegrass and country music at large. Produced by beloved performer and radio personality Joe Mullins and featuring modern legends Lee Ann Womack, Mo Pitney and Vince Gill. Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders & the London Symphony Orchestra Promises Luaka Bop On Promises, Sam Shepherd, the British electronic producer, DJ, musician, co-founder of Eglo Records, and leader of 16-piece group Floating Points, has come together with the legendary American jazz saxophonist Pharoah Sanders and the London Symphony Orchestra on a unique and mind-expanding masterpiece. Promises is a sonically spectacular, musically beguiling continuous piece of music in nine movements for saxophone, strings, keyboards and electronics. Evanescence The Bitter Truth BMG The Bitter Truth is Evanescence’s first album of new, original music in almost ten years. Lead singles, “Wasted On You,” “The Game Is Over,” and “Use My Voice,” have received early accolades and showcase the “ferocious and hymnal” (The New York Times) sound that made Evanescence a household name, as well as the drama and powerhouse vocals that made Amy Lee “one of rock’s definitive voices” (Rolling Stone). Joe Strummer Assembly BMG Assembly showcases carefully curated singles, fan favorites, and archival rarities from the Joe’s solo catalogue. Features three previously unreleased versions of classic Clash tracks, including the never-before-heard “Junco Partner (Acoustic)” and electrifying live performances of “Rudie Can’t Fail” and “I Fought The Law,” the latter two of which were recorded by Strummer and the Mescaleros at London’s Brixton Academy on November 24, 2001. Suzi Quatro The Devil In Me Steamhammer/SPV The inimitable, the unstoppable, the legendary Suzi Quatro has dug deep into her rock ‘n roll soul for her new record, The Devil In Me, going back to her 70’s roots, plugging in, and doing what she does best: rocking. "The Devil In Me is the best album in my career to date," says Suzi. “Every album has its own creative history and I know that it’s impossible to plan success. But Richard and I were certain of one thing: We knew we’d be a good team again." Smith/Kotzen Smith/Kotzen BMG Smith/Kotzen is the exciting partnership between guitarists & vocalists Adrian Smith & Richie Kotzen. Part-time LA neighbors, full time friends with a healthy mutual respect—their music is evocative of the classic rock bands of the 70’s brought back up to date with punchy hooks, harmonies and sheer guitar virtuosity. Debut track “Taking My Chances” sets the tone for this electrifying collaboration between two hugely admired rock music trail-blazers. Flock Of Dimes Head Of Roses Sub Pop Head of Roses calls upon Jenn Wasner’s singular ability to create a fully-formed sonic universe via genre-bending amalgamation of songs and her poetic and gut punch lyrics. Wasner’s seismically powerful voice sits front and center creating a textured musicality, quilted together by intentionality and intuition. Assembled in the same way you’d put together a mixtape, Head of Roses transcends genre to weave a story of heartache and healing together. Malamorte Mass Cult Suicide Moribund Records The Italian ‘New Wave of True Heavy Metal Leaders’ Malamorte return with their masterful sixth album Mass Cult Suicide! Featuring the radio killers "Apocalyptic Visions", "The New Messiah" & "They Are Watching Us", Mass Cult Suicide is a solid, riff-driven hard rock/heavy metal masterpiece, heavy on the synth which adds even more melody driven rhythm and ‘pop’-catch appeal to this phenomenal album. Malamorte is the new Metal Messiah! New Moon Jelly Roll Freedom Rockers Volume 2 Stony Plain The Freedom Rockers (Charlie Musselwhite, Jimbo Mathus, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Jim Dickinson, Luther Dickinson, Cody Dickinson) return with Vol. 2 – another testament to the great experience and talent of these esteemed performers, showing they could again casually conjure a recording of this quality out of the ether in a casual jam session – sounding as if you are right there in the room with them with between-song banter and commentary. Devin The Dude Soulful Distance Empire Devin the Dude is back with another classic. At 14 tracks, Soulful Distance plays on the current global scenario and oozes the familiar smooth sounds and cruising music that Devin is best known for. Keeping things local, the album features several notable Houston natives, including Scarface, Slim Thug, Big Pokey, & Lil Keke. LISTEN HERE LISTEN HERE The Offspring Let the Bad Times Roll Concord The legendary So-Cal punk group The Offspring return with their 10th album, and first new offering since 2008, with the blistering and triumphant Let The Bad Times Roll. Produced by Bob Rock, the group describes the album as "the most cathartic thing we’ve done. The messages might be dark, but at the end what’s left is that communication is important, working through feelings is important and most of all, hope is important." The Coalition of Independent Music Stores (CIMS) is a national level organization comprised of the best independent record stores in America. CIMS was founded in 1995 with the goal of uniting like minded independent store owners, giving them a more powerful voice in the music industry. The stores that make up CIMS are all very different, but we share the same desires – to be the heart of our communities, to super-serve our customers, to support and develop artists, and to share our love of music. For more information about CIMS and the stores in our organization, please visit cimsmusic.com or find us through social media with the #cimsmusic hashtag. And please remember to always shop local by supporting your neighborhood record store.