What a week for music! Check out quick cuts of some of the week’s most notable releases below.

Featured Image Credit: Ghostly International Records

I Am The Avalanche – Wolverines (I Surrender Records) 

Thundering New York rockers I Am The Avalanche have expanded upon their 2011 breakthrough Avalanche United with Wolverines; an assemblage of sharp teethed, post rock recordings that claw through issues such as reaching rock bottom, the band’s difficulty releasing their previous record, the health issues of frontman Vinnie Caruana, and even a memoir on the devastation of Hurricane Sandy. Wolverines is by the far the band’s most poignant, compelling release thus far.

A+

Listen to: Young Kerouacs, Two Runaways

Black Lips – Underneath The Rainbow (Vice Records)

Black Lips’ follow-up to 2011’s Arabia Mountain manipulates their punk, psychedelic roots into throwbacks to 1960’s pop on “Make You Mine,” the distorted, retro “Drive By Buddy,” the rebellious hearted “Boys In The Wood,” and the Rolling Stones nostalgic “I Don’t Wanna Go Home.” Underneath The Rainbow is flawlessly old school; a hazy drive by from beginning to end.

A

Listen to: Make You Mine, Smiling

Foster The People – Supermodel (Columbia Records)

Foster The People’s 2011 favorite Torches, Mark Foster has cited The Clash, David Bowie, and African music as the influences for Supermodel. These vast, stylistic differences all find a place on this sophomore release, while it makes room for the grungy “A Beginners Guide To Destroying The Moon,” the My Bloody Valentine ambience of “Pseudologia Fantastica,” and the entirely acoustic “Fire Escape” which takes a solemn bound into urban nostalgia. Supermodel is a successful endeavor on Foster The People’s part.

B+

Listen To: A Beginners Guide To Destroying The Moon, Pseudologia Fantastica

Tycho – Awake (Ghostly International Records)

Tycho’s organic, minimalist recipe could serve as a nebulous soundtrack to paradise; Awake is no exception.

A

Listen to: L

The Pretty Reckless – Going To Hell (Razor & Tie Records)

This female fronted outfit has never been afraid to face stylistic values of a rather cryptic nature, so their sophomore release Going To Hell is likely to strike a limited audience. Nonetheless, Taylor Momsen’s sleazy, sexualized vocals give these songs a wicked, restless edge. If you can handle a disheartened, gritty aesthetic, then Going To Hell should be a treat.

B

Listen to: Absolution

Perfect Pussy – Say Yes To Love (Captured Tracks Records)

The debut from these Syracuse noise punkers is a red lipstick clad kick in the teeth – A layered, battered, and unstoppable experience relentlessly stage diving into the hearts and eardrums of anyone in it’s vicinity. While there are moments where frontwoman Meredith Graves’ vocals take a turn to the incomprehensible – Censored by reckless, unadulterated spirit – Say Yes To Love will surely make it’s mark as one of the most notable, intensive releases of 2014.

B+

Listen To: Big Stars, Driver