Joanna Newsom – Have One On Me.

By the way fans talk about singer/songwriter (and most importantly) harpist Joanna Newsom, you’d swear she’s a veteran. But in reality, she is still quite the fresh face. “Have One On Me” is her third official album, but really she wants you to have three. That’s right, it’s a triple. Newsom has described it as a combination of her previous two albums, “The Milk Eyed Mender” and “Ys”. On a fundamental level, she’s right. Like its predecessors, it is rich with whimsical meanderings and songs that clock longer that your average pop tune. But where it differs can be found in the four odd years taken since her last release. Label: Drag City

Holly Miranda – The Magician’s Private Library

Holly Miranda – get used to that name, because I have a sneaking suspicion you’ll be hearing it a lot. Self taught on piano and trumpet, Miranda dropped out of her Michigan high school and set her sights on New York City. Upon arrival, Miranda had been recording and performing under her own name, and most notably as The Jealous Girlfriends with keyboardist Alex Lipsen. On “The Magician’s Private Library”, she has received helping hands from fellow New Yorkers, TV On The Radio, and it really pairs well. The album is a sonic mass, bursting with strings, horns, and percussion. Miranda shows great potential, and it will be exciting to see where she goes from here. Label: XL

Efterklang – Magic Chairs

When some people think of Denmark’s contribution to music, they go straight to Aqua (remember Barbie Girl?) But that is just wrong. Denmark has brought us other musical delights, such as Mew, The Kissaway Trail, The Raveonettes, and Efterklang. Since their formation in 2000, Efterklang have been performing their own brand of electronic-infused alternative folk (if there is such a thing), slowly releasing albums, and touring the world. Their latest, and possibly most accessible album, entitled “Magic Chairs”, features 10 songs that provide an excellent starting point for someone hearing the band for the first time, and is a fine rebuttal to those who still bring up Aqua. Label: 4AD

Shearwater – Golden Archipelago

Shearwater, like so many bands, started as a side project. Will Sheff and Jonathan Meiburg of Okkervil River needed an outlet for their “quieter” songs. And while their songs indeed differ from Okkervil, they are far from quiet. “Golden Archipelago” is their sixth album in 10 years. And Meiburg’s departure from Okkervil River in 2008 to focus on Shearwater indicates that maybe Shearwater isn’t just another side project after all. Label: Matador