Listening to the debut album by Agent Blå, Agent Blue (it’s self-titled), is a refreshing change from what we hear in indie rock these days. Tapping into the shoegaze style of the ’90s, the band mixes hazy, pedal-driven guitars with dreamy, soft and almost sensual vocals. Agent Blue Agent Blå June 23 The…

Royal Blood, “How Did We Get So Dark?” On How Did We Get So Dark?, English hard rock duo Royal Blood aspires for rambunctious bombast, which unfortunately goes nowhere. How Did We Get So Dark? Royal Blood June 16 The drums and bass outfit carries the heavy and deep influences…

  Crack-Up, the first Fleet Foxes album in six years, begins with a disjointed, discordant intro before the familiar harmonies kick in. It’s welcoming to hear that sound again, but the Seattle quintet doesn’t stay in that zone for long. Many of the songs on Crack-Up end up veering…

There was little to expect from power pop ’90s rocker Matthew Sweet coming into this year: He was living in a new home for the first time in 20 years, suffering from writer’s block, six years removed from his last album and mourning the sudden passing of his mother. Yet, here is Tomorrow Forever.…

If there is one thing Steve Earle knows, it’s trouble. The long-time Nashville recording artist taps into his checkered past on this his 21st record, So You Wannabe an Outlaw. Earle has always seemed to be the next big country artist. His songwriting and singing talents got him signed to…

Listeners who enjoyed London Grammar’s album If You Wait will find similar qualities on its new release, Truth Is a Beautiful Thing. The British trio settles comfortably into the sound it established with its debut: chill vibes with sleepy beats, subtle guitars and slow-burn vocals. No new ground is…

Bleachers may only be on its second album but Gone Now feels like something you have known for a lifetime. Gone Now Bleachers June 2 Jack Antonoff started Bleachers as a side project to his other band, Fun., back in 2013. Little did he know that his side project…

Roger Waters, “Is This the Life We Really Want?” Twenty-five years between albums may seem like a long time, but when you’re the father of the most successful concept albums in the history of rock music, who’s going to rush you? Roger Waters is back with Is This the life…

Alt-J, “Relaxer.” If you were violently put off by the sound of Joe Newman’s voice on the first two Alt-J albums, the band’s new release, Relaxer, might not change your mind. Newman’s vocals make the British band a “love them or hate them” prospect. You either can’t get past…

Sophomore albums are a tricky thing. A band often runs the risk of either sounding too similar or veering too far from its original sound. On Connect the Dots, MisterWives manage to masterfully push their sound, while staying true to their core. MisterWives, Smallpools, Vinyl Theater 7 p.m., Oct.…