Shawn Mendes, “Shawn.” Shawn Mendes opts for a moodier, more organic and acoustic sound on his fifth album, Shawn. It’s a quiet giant, entering with a soft-spoken murmur, but delivers a quiet confidence. These dozen tracks avoid expansive production and sleek pop arrangements and instead are often nothing more…

Gwen Stefani, “Bouquet.” Gwen Stefani turns over a new leaf, or petal, on her fifth solo album, Bouquet. Known for her work in ska-punk with No Doubt and later pop, she’s been a bonafide hitmaker for decades. But this album plays a very different tone. Bouquet Gwen Stefani Interscope, Nov…

Linkin Park, “From Zero.” Linkin Park created its eighth album, From Zero, with the pressure of carrying on the legacy of Chester Bennington and its own storied alt-rock catalog. But it was able to accomplish this in secret, without the bright lights and fanfare, over several years. With Dead…

Dayseeker performs at the Warfield in San Francisco, Calif. on Oct. 30, 2024. Chloe Catajan/STAFF. SAN FRANCISCO — Dayseeker brought its Dark Sun Protocol tour to the Warfield on Wednesday, along with a diverse cast of bands spanning melodic hard rock to metalcore, for its biggest Bay Area show…

Skillet, “Revolution.” Skillet took on a Revolution of its own while recording its 12th album. The hard rock band took out the middleman—a label—and went the independent route. The quartet then worked at its own pace, with guitarist Korey Cooper and longtime collaborators producing. The result brings a familiar…

Halsey, “The Great Impersonator.” Halsey is nothing if not adventurous on their fifth album, The Great Impersonator. The record opens on six-minute acoustic ballad “Only Living Girl In LA,” filled with quiet introspection and self-doubt that accelerates into a fuzz-toned wall-of-sound in the final moments. The Great Impersonator Halsey…

Margo Price performs during the Mill Valley Music Festival at Friends Field, Mill Valley, Calif. on May 12, 2024. Courtesy Jay Blakesberg/Mill Valley Music Festival. The two-day Mill Valley Music Festival will return to Friends Field for its fourth year next spring. Produced by Noise Pop Industries and presented…

Bishop Briggs, courtesy Nick Walker. Bishop Briggs’ third record, Tell My Therapist I’m Fine, became its own vehicle for therapy and the rollercoaster that took her from grief to love. Weary from pandemic doldrums, Sarah Grace McLaughlin needed a spark, which she found by returning to songwriting and a…

Lin-Manuel Miranda and Eisa Davis, “Warriors.” It’s not a stage show—at least not yet—but the latest project by Lin-Manuel Miranda is shaping up to be as ambitious as “Hamilton.” On Warriors, Miranda teams with playwright Eisa Davis to create a concert album adaptation of 1979 cult-classic film “The Warriors.”…

Mötley Crüe performs during Aftershock Festival at Discovery Park in Sacramento, Calif. on Oct. 13, 2024. AFTERSHOCK 2024: • Slayer reunites for explosive Thursday headlining set • Slipknot rocks like its 1999 on fest’s second day • Iron Maiden, Judas Priest lead British invasion on day 3 SACRAMENTO —…