Carnal implications abound on “Sex Mission,” a new techno track from the Brooklyn-based musician Laurel Halo. There’s the not-exactly-subtle title, and the EP from whence it comes is called Behind the Green Door (out May 21).

Hear “Sex Mission” now.

Listen to Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings’ explosive new single “Retreat.”

The new album Give The People What They Want will be released August 6 via Daptone.

Chuck Johnson’s joyful yet cerebral new record, Crows in the Basilica, spirals melodic phrases in and out of the depths; it’s like a gentle hurricane at sea.

Hear “On a Slow Passing in Ghost Town” now.

The guitars on Deafheaven’s aching, nine-minute “Dream House” sound like classic U2, with a caustic Mogwai-like coda. It’s the sound of a metal band expanding within its reach, with an open ear dedicated not to what always comes next, but what will remain.

Hear “Dream House” now.

Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats’ “Valley Of The Dolls” sounds like the Fab Four finally took a trip too far and George Harrison can’t move his fingers fast enough.

Photo: Ester Segarra

With clustered chords out of Deathspell Omega, industrial heft via Godflesh, and some gritty Fennesz-like electronics, Teethed Glory and Injury is the kind of anything-goes metal record that will likely prove divisive. “Scald Scar of Water” encompasses a little bit of all of the above.

Photo: Barbora Mrazkova

30 years later, Sodom still has thundering riffs to deploy. Hear “Stigmatized” from the German thrash metal band’s 14th studio album, Epitome of Torture.

Cayucas’ “A Summer Thing” has a lot of The Beach Boys’ bounce and echo, and a little of the melancholy, too. Thankfully, it also has a sense of humor.

Hear “A Summer Thing” now.

Members of Agalloch, YOB, and Hammers of Misfortune form this raw and adventurous metal band. But VHÖL’s self-titled debut is a thunderous album that doesn’t sound like the sum of its parts.

Hear “Insane With Faith” now.

Photo: Sarah Brady

The Brooklyn-via-Boston composer and multi-instrumentalist Ashley Paul is used to making a huge racket, but on Line the Clouds she finds melancholy in still simplicity. 

Hear “Watch Them Pass” now.