Snoop Dogg sparks up and sings his way into your heart with BUSH.
Produced by Pharrell, the DPG gets you dancing with Gwen Stefani, singing with Stevie Wonder and pop lockin’ with uncle Charlie Wilson. Snoop passes the blunt to Rick Ross, Kendrick Lamar and T.I. for some high-grade guest verses. Let your freak out and get down to BUSH. –J. Boogie
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CURATOR’S CHOICE
Warm Soda continues to evoke teenage fantasy with tasty new LP.
Symbolic Dream is the ex-Oakland band’s first record since songwriter, singer and guitar player Matthew Melton moved to Austin in 2014. Regardless of location, his warm confectionary power-pop hasn’t changed. With catchy hooks and sing-along choruses aplenty, Warm Soda’s fizzy energy has yet to go flat. –Michelle Solomon
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Aerosmith frontman goes country.
But Steven Tyler’s new direction isn’t really that much of a departure. Or maybe it’s just that country music fits him like a pair of custom-tailored crushed velvet pants. “Love Is Your Name” is tastefully laced with the rootsy instruments of country, but the song still plays with the sweet emotion of a top-shelf Aerosmith ballad. –Eric Shea
The Nelson twins deliver swagger with a wink.
What do you do when you are part of the only family in history to have number one hits in three generations? Write about what you know. Not straying from the formula that made them famous, Nelson gives us “Rockstar,” an entertaining bit of Def Leppard style over-the-top pop rock. –Diego Gonzalez
Pro skateboarder shreds garage-punk into bite size pieces.
Jonny Manak comes from a musical family – his brother is Chris Manak (Peanut Butter Wolf). But with Cold Pizza and Warm Beer, Manak brings the family into his music. “J and D” is a revved-up garage-rock anthem that celebrates fatherhood. Fans of The Sonics and Ramones will dig opening standout song “Vegass.” –Eric Shea
We want to believe!
History is littered with ill-conceived vanity projects by actors-turned-musicians (we’re looking at you The Return Of Bruno – you too, Dogstar!) but David Duchovny’s Hell Or Highwater surprises with a seriously solid slab of rootsy alternative rock. Fusing some seventies style twang-folk to more brooding buzz and crunch, the FBI’s most un-wanted delivers an arresting debut. –Andee Connors
Superstar producers unite for a summer anthem.
Pairing up with Mr. Probz, “Another You” finds Armin Van Buuren marching straight for the pop charts with catchy piano chords and breakup lyrics. On the flip, the Mark Sixma remix premiered at the Ultra Music Festival and features huge drops with blaring synth trumpets that demand you to move your body. –CMH
