Destroyer, Labyrinthitis

There is no better reason for dancing than simply “joie de vivre” and enjoying life’s absurdities while resisting the urge to answer the question “Why?” This year, I could not help but find myself repeatedly twisting through the energetic and unexplainable mystery of Destroyer, each time confronting my own desire to find meaning in their often bizarre musical landscape. In contrast to the inner ear infection from which Labyrinthitis takes its name, Destroyer’s Dan Bejar solidifies himself by cleanly delivering his cryptic and oftentimes jarring lyrics. Certainly no stranger to melody and the pulse of the 80s, Bejar’s inner chaos finds its rhythm in his dramatic words and the worlds they conjure. There’s a particularly ominous chord underlying the whole of Labyrinthitis, in particular on the much-loved “June.” Here, listeners find themselves at the edge of their seats, bouncing along with Bejar’s playful lyrical melody before breaking into a dark, dangerous, and incredible spoken-word section. •Weajue Mombo

MorMor, Semblance

With his debut record, MorMor blends himself into the groves of our imagination. Semblance is embedded with his familiar reverbing loops and is nothing less than a focused yet gentle attempt to gather his once-scattered reflections. • Weajue Mombo

Sister Ray, Communion

Sister Ray‘s Communion doesn’t shy away from being a deeply personal and intricate record. It was no surprise to hear the same graceful elegance when we spoke to her for 20 or 20 that gave me another touch of understanding. • Weadee Mombo

Dive Deeper: Sister Ray’s Ella Coyes on growing up Catholic, insecurities, their debut album, Communion.

The Weather Station, How is it That I Should Look at the Stars

Flush with a fundamental lightness, the Weather Station‘s How Is It That I Should Look At The Stars is as delicate as glass and flows as gently as a moonlit river. This album becomes a celestial object in itself, standing on its own and drawing us into orbit. Each listen reveals another layer of breathtaking heartbreak, outnumbering the stars themselves. • Weadee Mom