It can’t be easy to be universally deemed the frontrunner of a genre. Georgia native Ernest Greene, who records and performs as Washed Out, now nearly four years and one album removed from his breakthrough EP, has found himself at a crossroads of sorts.

August brings new music from the Australian rock outfit Jagwar Ma, and American rock n' roll bands J.Roddy Walston & the Business, and the Moondoggies.

On Thursday night’s sold out Bluebird Theater show, Vile performed mostly material from his new album "Wakin On A Pretty Daze" with help from his backing band the Violators. Despite a few early sound issues, the quartet found a strong rhythm, albeit looser than their recorded incarnations.

If the brief, rapid-fire songs on Don Cavalli’s sophomore solo release Temperamental gives the impression that the singer has one foot out the door, that’s because it’s probably true.

A Color Map of the Sun is the fourth album Pretty Lights album of a discography that blends together nearly seamlessly. It is the sound of an established voice in electronica completely taking over the reins on a grandiose effort with manifest success.

Alela Diane’s latest album, About Farewell, is about, you guessed it, saying goodbye. The Portland-based folk songstress’ full-length comes in the wake of her divorce from guitarist Tom Bevitori, who had played on and co-wrote Diane’s last album, 2011’s Alela Diane & Wild Divine.

Eight years removed from Mazarin’s breakup, Stoltzfus has bided his time since his last creative output, and as a result Light Heat is an intensely contemplative, focused, and highly enjoyable effort.

Colfax Speed Queen’s Satisfaction Intended gives the impression that the four-piece has had its share of after-hours festivity and debauchery along their namesake avenue. Here the band has penned eleven charmingly boisterous odes to rock and roll, and homemade amphetamines...

One needn’t look farther than the title of Montreal four-piece Hooded Fang’s third full-length release to know it’s their darkest yet. Gravez, the follow-up to the Polaris Prize-nominated (and aptly titled) Album.

Tuesday night’s show at the Boulder Theater began with a meditative acoustic set, then after a short break they played a more spontaneous electric set, both highlighting tracks from their newest album Fade.

Unafraid to mix pop sensibilities with unique and charming experimental rock delivery, Maps & Atlases stopped by the Larimer Lounge for one of their final tour stops.

Ezra Koenig and company return with their finest album to date, Modern Vampires of the City. Recorded in Los Angeles as opposed to the group’s native Brooklyn, the album finds the band with a variety of new instruments and genres in their repertoire...

Blake’s genius lies in his ability to effortlessly blend his gorgeous soul compositions with his electronic freak-out proclivities, his pop side with his experimental side. The result of his matrimony of genres is a fine sophomore effort and one of the year’s best so far.