Editor’s Note: Do you think we “missed” an album this week? Click here.
Each month, we always seem to come to the same conclusion when it comes to our Editors’ Picks column: Friday release days open the floodgates and unleash a seemingly endless stream of quality new music. But while some of our Editors and Contributors sit down gleefully each week to dive into this newly stocked treasure trove, others find themselves drawing a blank at the end of the month due to the breakneck pace needed to keep up to date with what’s been released. Which brings us to this Heavy Blog PSA: a weekly roundup of new albums which pares down the week’s releases to only our highest recommendations. Here you’ll find full album/single streams, pre-order links and, most importantly, a collection of albums that could very well earn a spot on your year-end list. Enjoy!
Top Pick
Moon Unit – Differences in Language and Lifestyle (alt-rock, prog rock)
You can read more of my thoughts about this album in the album premiere and track-by-track breakdown we posted yesterday, but these Croatian prog rockers’ debut quickly went from one of the most perplexing to one of my most played and enjoyed albums of the year.
For those who haven’t taken the plunge yet (and you really should…) imagine Real Thing-era Faith No More by way of Devin Townsend and Dream Theater with extra SNES and hip-hop/nu-metal influences and you’re only begging to get an idea of what this record has in store. Another huge surprise from 2021 and one that continues to grow better and more impressive with each and every listen.
See Also: Desecrator – Summoning (thrash metal); Aussie thrashers bringing the thunder from down under with their best record yet.
Last Week’s Biggest Surprise: Between the Buried and Me – Colors II (progressive metal); I figured BTBAM had completely jumped the shark when they announced Colors II but this record is vibing with me so hard! A perfect mix of their classic style and modern virtuosity that’s genuinely troubling the upper end of my AOTY list.
–Josh Bulleid