William Brittelle’s mini-album is a shock to the system – a relentless flood of synths, strings and saxophone, with warped vocals complemented by an artificial choir, and reprieves of lush pads and soft melodic fragments.

Wonderfully controlled and poised performance by cellist Inbal Segev in Upstate Obscura, Metropolis Ensemble under conductor Andrew Cyr in full control throughout, and the irrepressible Andres on top of his game in The Blind Banister and the solo piano piece Colorful History, I cannot recommend this album highly enough.

“These three works from Timo Andres showcase the US composer’s distinctive and accomplished musical language… It’s a highly accomplished disc all round.”

“Finally, we get a recording of Andres' piano concerto, The Blind Banister, shortlisted for a Pulitzer in 2016, with the composer at the keys. That the album contains the cinematic cello concerto Upstate Obscura, with Inbal Segev, makes it worth the wait.”

William Brittelle’s movements are fleeting and brief, like constantly shifting perspectives in dreams that dissolve into one another with a logic all their own.

The multi-part suite combines bits of freeform noise, mutated transmissions, seething strings, subliminal guitar, and ghostly singing into a lucid nightmare of oddly soothing sonic insanity.

“A vividly immersive thriller... not a word or note is without purpose, and both are captured, if not enhanced, in this richly produced recording.”

In A Grove is rendered in a taut, mesmeric soundworld featuring a strikingly expressive use of electronics. Eight characters are assigned to four excellent singers who, combined with a subtle-hued Metropolis Ensemble, bring the story grippingly alive within Cerrone’s lushly circular, almost ritualistic harmonic frame.

The way they create a soundscape in the recording really captures the mysterious and immersive spirit of Akutagawa’s work. It’s immersive, it's compulsively listenable.

In A Grove is an engrossing and complete experience... Cerrone evokes the fragility of memory from the outset... Metropolis articulates his economical writing for nine players with vivid nuance.

In A Grove is vividly produced… not a mere document of the premiere, but a creation of its own, carefully considered for the studio… commanding attention until the end.

Our top pick is “In A Grove.” This is an opera that will linger long in my memory. Now it can find a place in your memory with the release of this album. I love it and can’t wait to see a full production (hopefully sooner as opposed to later).

In A Grove provides further confirmation of Cerrone's singular gifts and why he's justly regarded as one of today's leading composers.

“A mesmerizing debut… In A Grove benefits from the meticulous playing of Metropolis… and imbues the album with a sense of fidelity to its creator’s vision.”

“Entering Telekinesis’ sound world, one feels like an explorer discovering a planet located at the far reaches of a distant galaxy… a journey that is at once exhilarating, terrifying and alienating.”

Telekinesis has a unique tonal quality characterised by thrilling juxtapositions between electronic and acoustic sounds. An astonishing tour de force that gives new meaning to the word epic. Four stars.

Metamorphosis is quite lyrical and beautiful, gathering steam and lusciousness until self-infatuated Narcissus disappears into the void.

Samora Pinderhughes’ Grief mixes gospel harmonies, simmering post-hip-hop instrumentals and wounded balladry, the music shudders with outrage and vision.

Phong Tran’s “The Computer Room” transports us back to the days of dial-up through the sounds of early synthesizers, which range from melancholic to ecstatic to warm, heartfelt nostalgia, even in the complete absence of acoustic sound.

It's fascinating listening to this record from Samora Pinderhughes, like how much softness there is to it at the same time. There's real grandeur and range and reach. Grief is a fantastic record.

There's an uncompromising beauty to these works in “The Strange Highway” by the Iranian-born American composer, Gity Razaz. The closing “Metamorphosis of Narcissus” offers some fantastic musical storytelling. Impressive. Four stars.

Telekinesis ascends like sharp blades and stairs to madness or wide-ranging, dismay and illusory quiet, generating swirls in a closed circle of sensations.

Fans of this electronic and orchestral specialist have been waiting for the next big statement. And here it is... Tyondai Braxton in full command of his art.

Remarkable… the best kind of soundtrack: one with the power to cast whatever surroundings you find yourself in in a more interesting hue.

Frankly, everyone involved in the production of Telekinesis should take a bow for just how magnificently produced and orchestrated it is.

Him Sophy’s Bangsokol stands on its own as an extraordinary musical experience that brings cultures and people together while serving as a model for how art can be a powerful vehicle for reconciliation in post-conflict societies.

Matthew Evan Taylor’s The Unheard Mixtapes has reconciled his artistic identity as a classical composer focused on social justice, Black expressive culture, and experimentalism.

For this world is too ___ for you, Emily Wells works in the space between art-pop and neoclassical chamber music using electronic and acoustic instruments and hip-hop production in elegant layers to support her singular and dramatic vocals.

William Brittelle’s Spiritual America has drawn from classical music, punk rock, and electronica to produce music that is at once free-ranging and a thrill to experience.

In “…And Then You Shoot Your Cousin,” The Roots prove their mastery of mixing high and low culture for diverse audiences. It’s a headier album, but one rife with significance.