1) The music of Marty Stuart / From the instrumental brilliance of last year’s “Space Junk” back to and through his hitmaking ‘90s albums, I’ve been a bit obsessed of late with the way the country great bends notes while showcasing a steel will.
2) Little Simz, “Sugar Girl” / The badass British rapper leaves us wanting more on this power-punch of a four-song EP.
3) Basement, “Wired” / The British rockers deliver skyscraper hooks on their latest.
4) Adrian Quesada, “Trio Asesino” / A Grammy winner best known for his work in Black Pumas, Quesada’s manifold musical genius is again on display on this record of fantastic Latin folk, funk and rock.
5) Matthew Zapruder, “Sun Bear” / Catching up with the poet’s 2014 collection just reminded me how lucky we are to be living in Zapruder’s time.