Thanks to Brian Shimkovitz, the 1970s Addis Ababa band the Walias have their sound revived.

Lecce-born Massimiliano Pagliara swears by the old to synth in the new.

FKA twigs and Merchandise make music that's headed in different directions.

For the talented, getting lost in the musical fight club jungle isn't the worst of fates.

Atlanta's Mastodon finally puts all the pieces together on "Once More 'Round the Sun."

Experimental musician Valerio Tricoli has lots to say on "Miseri Lares," but meaning is elusive.

Madlib and Freddie Gibbs, YG, and Chimurenga Renaissance make it a hip-hop spring.

Mark McGuire, D. Charles Speer & the Helix and Angel Olsen all shine on new releases.

UK techno luminary "Actress" — Darren Cunningham — goes out with an emotional snarl.

Satellite's "Transister" and Soviet Soviet's "Fate" spruce up Italy's 2013.

James Parker, a.ka. Logos, tries remembering pirate-radio grime while Samuel Kerridge turns brutal.

"Sound" collective Yamantaka // Sonic Titan has blossomed into something larger than itself.