The Dodos

Beloved San Francisco indie-folkers The Dodos are back, and this time with a vibraphonist! Producer Phil Ek (Band of Horses, The Shins, Fleet Foxes) mixes this tropical-atmosphere instrument in with great effect, rounding out the band's sound on their third album. Some will miss the rough edges of last year's acclaimed Visiter, but this record is a true sonic pleasure. Start off with the free track "Fables"!

For fans of: Animal Collective + The Shins + Band of Horses

Yim Yames

The singer of Louisville rock band My Morning Jacket, Jim James is renowned for his high, powerful voice and often compared to iconic musician Neil Young. After George Harrison passed away in 2001, James was moved to record this six-song covers EP (under the pseudonym Yim Yames), offering his striking renditions of four songs from Harrison's celebrated All Things Must Pass, as well as the Beatles originals "Love You To" and "Long, Long, Long."

For fans of: Fleet Foxes + My Morning Jacket + Neil Young

Julian Plenti

There's no mistaking that voice. Even without Interpol's glacial, ultra-stylish art-rock behind him, lead singer Paul Banks is a brand name all his own, and his solo outing as Julian Plenti has been feverishly anticipated by fans. The first two tracks on his new album might as well be (really good) Interpol demos, but by sorta-title-track "Skyscraper," with its acoustic guitar and violins, you realize he's inviting you closer than ever before. In fact, most of the second half is stark, lonely folk; Entertainment Weekly says it's "what Cat Power might sound like as a well-dressed dude."

For fans of: Interpol + Devotchka + The Detachment Kit

Amanda Blank

In a particularly awkward endorsement, The New York Times praised Philly rapper Amanda Blank for her "highly unprintable claims about her sexual prowess." This Spank Rock collaborator may be better known for her dirty mouth than her musical ability, but productions from XXXChange, Diplo, Switch, and Eli Escobar on her debut I Love You, along with guest appearances by the Cool Kids' Chuck Inglish and Swedish sensation Lykke Li, make for a fun party album that doesn't ask for much thought.

For fans of: Spank Rock + Kid Sister + Diplo

Rebelution

College bros from UC Santa Barbara, Rebelution is a reggae-rock band who've held down the #2 spot in iTunes' most-downloaded reggae albums (after Bob Marley's Legend) since 2007. They've definitely picked the right time of year to release Bright Side Of Life, and we apologize if this makes you significantly less productive at work. Start off with the complimentary track "Outta Control"!

For fans of: Sugar Ray + 311 + Pepper

Cale Parks

Classically-trained percussionist Cale Parks (drummer for indie rock bands White Williams and Aloha) draws from the dark, melancholy synth-pop of the '80s for his own music. To Swift Mars is his third release for Polyvinyl Records, featuring the standout "Crystal Air," an elegant, layered single with vibraphone and light piano. CMJ calls this EP "proof that Parks is finally comfortable in his role as a frontman, and brings with him the precise vision and ear of an orchestral percussionist -- a thrilling combination that results in the complex and deeply textured sounds of his solo work."

For fans of: Depeche Mode + New Order + Talk Talk

Desolation Wilderness

This is sleepy, heavily reverbed indie rock, good for a Wednesday night when you're not sure if the week will ever end. Desolation Wilderness are from Olympia, WA, and "deliver their mildly ecstatic, precocious worldview not from the mount, but from across a canyon" (Dusted Magazine). One of the most narcotic albums we've heard this year.

For fans of: The Microphones + Spacemen 3 + Deerhunter

Various Artists: Snoop Dogg Presents

West Coast godfather Snoop Dogg presents a roundup of artists on his Doggystyle Digital label, including Kurupt, Daz Dillinger, Hustle Boyz, and Uncle Chucc. Snoop guests on 12 of the 16 tracks (and produces most of them), so whether you're on the lookout for a new talent or just want more Calvin, pop this one in the lowrider!

For fans of: Snoop Dogg + Xzibit + Warren G

Stars Go Dim

Dubbed "the best unsigned pop band in Oklahoma" by the Urban Tulsa, Stars Go Dim is a young rock band with grand ambitions. Next week they're embarking on a tour of the Midwest (at one point opening for Miley Cyrus), and have previously played shows with Daughtry and Switchfoot. Love Gone Mad is their full-length debut, chronicling a complicated love story between two pen pals; expect to hear it on Modern Rock radio soon!

For fans of: Daughtry + Creed + 3 Doors Down