The Hornet’s Nest. Review by James Mann.

Tinsel and Lights (Merge Records). Review by Matthew Moyer.

Song Islands Vol. 2 (PW Elverum & Son). Review by Matthew Moyer.

Scott Adams finds this compelling history of Merge Records, the underdog label that beat the odds and succeeded, to be insanely readable.

Two Sunsets (Domino). Review by Matthew Moyer.

Cut (Affairs of the Heart). Review by Matthew Moyer.

Vs. Children (Tomlab). Review by Matthew Moyer.

A Delicate Bashing (Headphone Treats Records). Review by Crystal Lee.

Oh You’re So Silent Jens (Secretly Canadian). Review by Aaron Shaul.

Hung (Le Grand Magistery). Review by Matthew Moyer.

Eternal Youth (Instinct). Review by Ben Varkentine.

¡All-Time Quarterback! (Barsuk). Review by Eric J. Iannelli.

Film Molecules (K). Review by Phil Bailey.

Eban & Charley Original Soundtrack (Merge). Review by James Mann.

Finnish indie popsters Cessna explore their Loves, Longings, and Regrets on their newest album for Radio Khartoum, but it took Andrew Muzyk to discover why Kimmo and Sami don’t sing in Finnish and why they compare their music to a kaleidoscope.

Not only is Stephin Merritt one of the most revered songwriters around, he’s also one of the most prolific, with the massive three-disc 69 Love Songs and records from alter-egos the 6ths and the Future Bible Heroes out in just the last year. Randall Stephens caught up with Merritt in a rare moment between projects to try to catch up.