We’ve closed out the month of March and have a fresh weekly top-ten posted. This week’s top spot went to Canadian art-rocker ensemble GODSPEED YOU! BLACK EMPEROR and their new record G_d’s Pee AT STATE’s END. The band is now more prolific in their second incarnation (since 2012) than they were in their first run. With age has come sophistication, the latest record is more subtle and diverse than their early work, while still nailing the groups distinct moody hybrid of gloom and awe.

Number two this week is STURGILL SIMPSON, back with his second volume in the Cuttin Grass series. The Cuttin Grass records find Sturgill revisiting some of his classic tunes in a bluegrass style backed by some mighty fine players. The first edition of these was by far and away our shop’s best-selling country folk record of 2020. Can Sturgill pull a repeat in 2021?

Our entire top three this week is composed of brand new releases, with the third spot being held by UK post-punks DRY CLEANING with their debut New Long Leg. In this band’s short career they’ve already emerged as critical darlings, and rightfully so. How about a NW connection? Last fall the band performed a live set for KEXP we’ll include here for those ready to binge.