Mike Katzif

The D.C.-based three-piece Ex Hex, in a word, rocks. For its new record, the band shakes up the frayed-but-taut tumult for which its known with some nods to '70s prog-rock and '80s hair-metal.

On its dark but buoyant new album, the artful pop band explores the complexities and contradictions in love, loss and learning to leave the past behind.

The Brooklyn-based musician reels off example after example of the barrage of harassment women face on a daily basis.

The Brooklyn band's first single from Good Fruit processes the sorrow and aimlessness felt after the death of a loved one, before becoming a life-affirming anthem.

Following the dissolution of their marriage and band, Exitmusic's Aleksa Palladino and Devon Church unleash a gorgeous if haunting storm of images and sound.

Domenic Palermo channels a lifetime of tragedy into Nothing's blustery distortion, scorching riffs and stirring melodies.

The solo debut from the Youth Lagoon frontman sounds like nothing Trevor Powers has made yet — gorgeous and ornate while bleakly unsettling.

Jenn Wasner of Wye Oak produces Perfect Shapes, the second album for the Oakland-based songwriter and musician, out Oct. 5.

Twerp Verse shows Sadie Dupuis and her band at their most pointed and fearless.

Recorded amidst the slow dissipation of the duo's marriage and after their separation, these nine songs unwind like a melodramatic love story pulling apart bit by bit.

The bittersweet first single from Snail Mail's debut album, Lush, exudes the confidence of an artist coming into her own right in front of us.

With "Always," the Oakland polymath songwriter delivers a blustery song of resolve in the face of external skepticism and internal fears.

Last year, Ellen Kempner faced the unexpected death of a friend and the passing of her grandmother. She channeled her grief into honest songs about mortality and the search for closure.

The stars of Seattle's underground rock renaissance have never felt this vulnerable, or as relatable.

Known for hopscotching between an array of bands, Jen Goma embodies numerous roles in the video for her empowering new dance-pop gem.

Guppy is one of those ecstatically empowering records you'll return to again and again.

Ellen Kempner documents grief on a buzzing new song and collaborates with the Boston League of Women Wrestlers for the video.

The pop-punk duo's debut album will give those weathering tough times the confidence to pick themselves up and dance.

Hiccup's members first met while playing in the house band on a public-access comedy show. Its new song captures that same frenzied and fun dynamic, but with more space to stretch out.

Oakland-based indie-rock musician Melina Duterte plays every instrument and produced nearly every sound on her new record.