Nonesuch

Punch Brothers' second disc showcases the collaborative power of this virtuosic, genre-blurring combo. "Antifogmatic brims with color, wit, flash and tenderness," says the Wall Street Journal, "all conveyed with remarkable musicianship and high spirits." The quintet honed these songs during a residency at New York's The Living Room, then recorded them live at LA's Ocean Way studio with producer Jon Brion. This deluxe edition includes an all-instrumental EP, plus a DVD with seven songs from The Living Room.

De Profundis features 12 pieces from Gidon Kremer’s performing repertoire spanning nearly two centuries, from Schubert to Schnittke—artists who sought to "sustain humans by appealing to their profoundest emotions," says Kremer, "by letting them open up, become more conscious, rather than 'forget themselves.'"

For her first studio recording in seven years, Natalie Merchant offers the most ambitious project of her celebrated, 25-year major-label career. She brilliantly adapts the works of such poets as Edward Lear, Ogden Nash, and Robert Graves into a musically kaleidoscopic, two-disc set of new songs, working with folk, jazz, reggae, and R&B players as well as gorgeously arranged chamber ensembles.

Radiohead drummer Philip Selway's first solo album, Familial, with its sublimely fragile, haunting, and heartfelt songs, is likely to surprise many—and not solely because these beautifully understated performances are coming from a drummer; it makes the case for Selway as a natural born singer-songwriter. Pre-orders include an instant download of the opening track, "By Some Miracle."

“Now,” says Pat Metheny, “ten years into the new century, it feels like time to try to create something particularly connected to the reality of this unique period in time.” What he’s created, Orchestrion, is an adventurous “solo” recording that pairs the composer-guitarist with a phalanx of remarkable, custom-made instruments played via solenoid switches and pneumatics, resulting in what the Guardian calls his "most ambitious experiment" yet.

"It's the best it's ever felt," said Jeff Tweedy of these 2005 Wilco performances recorded in Chicago. Rolling Stone calls Kicking Television “a love letter to Wilco's dedicated fans and a definitive live statement from America's foremost rock impressionists.” This LP box set includes an audiophile, 180-gram vinyl pressing of the album on four discs with eight previously unreleased bonus tracks and a fold-out commemorative poster.

For fans of hip-hop, funk, and jazz, Tony Allen, holder of the Afrobeat flame following the death of pioneer Fela Kuti, is revered as the genre's leading living figure. NPR exclaims: "Tony Allen is easily one of the most gifted and influential percussionists of all time." Secret Agent, finds him "continuing his late career high," says Pitchfork, "never more confident." Nonesuch Store orders include a special discount offer on tickets to see the hit Broadway musical Fela!.

Ali and Toumani is the second and last album pairing guitar virtuoso Ali Farka Touré and kora master Toumani Diabaté. Recorded in 2005, with contributions from Cachaíto López on bass, the album is the successor to the Grammy-winning In the Heart of the Moon and is the last recorded by both Touré and López. Pitchfork says it's "uncommonly beautiful." NPR calls it "breathtaking."

Several of John Adams's works surge with new life as the score to the Italian film I Am Love, which was directed and produced with Adams's music in mind. The New York Times calls the film, starring Tilda Swinton, "a cinematic tour de force"; the Times of London gives the film five stars, noting its "sublime score." The BBC calls the album "one of those rare soundtracks that merits—and rewards—repeated listening."