Bill DeVille of 89.3 the Current:
1 Ruen Brothers, "All My Shades of Blue." Their songs soar on this Rick Rubin-produced album. If you enjoy brother acts such as the Avetts and Everlys, you'll love these Brits.
2 Parquet Courts, "Wide Awake!" Seven albums in, this Brooklyn-by-way-of-Texas band has delivered maybe its best and most diverse yet, evoking the Fall, Talking Heads and more.
3 Caroline Rose, "Soul #5." This ought be the song of the summer. It's part hip-hop, part '60s pop and 100 percent fun.
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Jon Bream of the Star Tribune:
1 "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill," Jungle Theater. As a singer and actress, Thomasina Petrus is stunning as Billie Holiday — even better than Audra McDonald was on Broadway.
2 Erykah Badu, Soundset. Wearing a big hat, big hair and big jewelry, she brought a jazzy soulfulness to this wonderful hip-hop festival, which drew a younger, more diverse crowd.
3 Greta Van Fleet, "Safari Song." This modern-day Led Zep-like blast sounds refreshing on 89.3 the Current. Crank it up.