Don’t fix it if it ain’t broke, right? It seems that’s been Rob Goraieb’s motto for nearly 3 decades with his bands Kosmos Express and The Get Set, staying close to the influence of bands like The Who and The Jam. His new solo album Antenna continues this tradition with 11 concise, catchy pop tunes.

I first learned of Anour Brahem through his association with ECM Records. The melodies on “After the Last Sky” are memorable, and the music feels reverent. Sometimes, great art is hard to describe, and this collection of songs, partly classical and partly jazzy at times, resists easy classification.

Over the past few years, our 14-year-old has become fascinated with Stereolab and I’m completely fine with that. Attending the listening party for their new album on its release day this year was a must for us. Since then, "Instant Holograms on Metal Film" has been played so many times at our house.

Old-fashioned things like concerts and word of mouth still matter. A friend in Pennsylvania mentioned seeing Darksoft, a band I’d never heard of. So then I checked them out, and I really enjoy their newest album, Rationalism, which at times reminds me of early Beach Fossils.

Hanz Bronze Boulevard by Suzannah Johannes

I prefer writing that delves into the music and provides a compelling case for listening. Please don't tell me where a band or album fits in your hierarchy of the best bands of all time. Thank you.

And there were always so many lists that illustrated the predictability of the writing, particularly from white male writers who frequently emphasized their identity.

I'd suggest Bowery Electric.

I think I'm supposed to say Rubber Soul, but Let It Be is probably the one I've listened to the most. So, by that metric, I guess I have to say it's my favorite, too.