Nonesuch

This album includes three works written for Kronos Quartet by the contemporary Russian composer Vladimir Martynov—whose music, says Kronos artistic director and founder David Harrington, seems “to reflect and absorb humanity in such a beautiful way”—and features a special guest performance from former Kronos cellist Joan Jeanrenaud on a piece the Times of London describes as "something to treasure."

This three-disc set comprises newly remastered editions of Kate & Anna McGarrigle's beloved 1976 self-titled debut and its equally praised 1977 follow-up, Dancer with Bruised Knees, plus a third disc of previously unreleased songs and demos—45 songs in all. Rolling Stone calls the debut album "idiosyncratically perfect." The Boston Globe calls it an "exhilarating ride," the demos a "real revelation," and the sisters' music "too enchanted, too singular to ever be forgotten." The Financial Times gives the new collection a perfect five stars.

Inspired by a news headline about the Wall Street bailout, Ry Cooder began work on Pull Up Some Dust and Sit Down with the track “No Banker Left Behind,” an ode to the corrupt few spared from the financial crisis while most were left to fend for themselves. Uncut calls this "one of his best albums ever ... an impassioned portrait of 21st century America and its injustices" in which Cooder is "remade as a modern-day Woody Guthrie, fearless and funny, for like Guthrie he nails his targets with droll humour while empathising with society's underdogs." The BBC calls it "essential listening."

A collaboration between pianists Brad Mehldau and Kevin Hays and composer/arranger Patrick Zimmerli, all longtime friends, Modern Music features pieces written by each of the three musicians as well as works by Steve Reich, Ornette Coleman, and Philip Glass, performed by the two pianists in arrangements by Zimmerli. The Guardian calls it a "fascinating session" that's "full of surprises." The New York Times says the pianists bring "a high sheen to some choice material."

Completed over three weeks at Blackbird Studios in Nashville, Who's Feeling Young Now?, the follow-up to 2010's Grammy-nominated Antifogmatic, was produced by Grammy Award winner Jacquire King (Kings of Leon, Tom Waits, Modest Mouse) and features ten songs written by Punch Brothers, with the band’s friend Josh Ritter co-writing lyrics on two tunes, plus the group’s take on Radiohead’s “Kid A” and the Swedish group Väsen’s “Flippen.” Pre-orders include an instant download of the album track "Movement and Location" and an exclusive set of five custom Punch Brothers paper coasters illustrated by New Yorker cartoonist Matthew Diffee, signed by the band.

What's It All About, Pat Metheny's sequel to his Grammy-winning first solo baritone-guitar effort, One Quiet Night, features classic tunes from songwriters like Paul Simon, Lennon & McCartney, Burt Bacharach, and Henry Mancini. The Boston Herald says: "Metheny’s thoughtful, loving approach elevates every tune he tackles to a realm of beauty."

On Leaving Eden, the Carolina Chocolate Drops follow their Grammy-winning album Genuine Negro Jig with a record of original compositions, covers, and traditional songs produced by Buddy Miller (Emmylou Harris, Robert Plant, Patty Griffin, Solomon Burke). Pre-orders include an instant download of the track “Country Girl”; the first 300 CDs ordered will be signed by the band.

Produced by Danger Mouse and The Black Keys, the band's seventh studio album was recorded at singer/guitarist Dan Auerbach’s Easy Eye Sound studio in the band’s new hometown of Nashville during the spring of 2011. "They sound like a band who think they've made the year's best rock 'n' roll album," says the Guardian, "probably because that's exactly what they've done." The Independent calls it "by some distance the most powerful, compelling rock album of the year."