Heartless Bastards, "The Mountain"

Billboard

Between the Black Keys and Heartless Bastards, it's clear that Ohio has the blues. But the former labelmates share key traits beyond geography and genre, including dynamite singers, stampeding drummers and, best, lyrical and musical candor. On their third full-length, Heartless Bastards honor the penetrating howl of leader Erika Wennerstrom, who sounds like Robert Plant's less-shrill American sister, by including several acoustic tunes that underscore her vocal versatility. Her charismatic country drawl is also heightened here—perhaps the result of the album being birthed in Austin—and new elements like pedal steel and banjo slink into the mix. Standouts include the muscular title track, the wry "Be So Happy" ("I could be so happy if I just quit being sad") and the sweet but firm "Witchy Poo," whose dramatic "Hold on to what'cha know" chorus soars.

Deerhoof, "Friend Opportunity"

Billboard

Last year's infectious "Friend Opportunity" presented Deerhoof in Technicolor, the band distorting pop to create a musical Candyland dotted with explosively vivid experimental landmines. "Offend Maggie" takes a more grounded, monochromatic approach. The addition of second guitarist Ed Rodriguez shifts the focus from synth-manufactured atmospheres to stripped-down primal rock, with power chords wrapped in crackling overdrive taking charge. Vocalist Satomi Matsuzaki turns her attention to philosophical matters, with songs tackling birth, God and the afterlife. That's not to say Deerhoof has stripped off all its quirky, futuristic drapery. Rather, there's a certain stark gravitas that permeates the affair, and instead of giddy euphoria, "Offend Maggie" aims for Zen-like deliberation. Turns out along with everything else, Deerhoof can strike deep, too.