This week’s best albums
– Lana Del Rey makes a compelling return, with messy story arcs over slower songs that include more traditional rock instrumentation.
– On its umpteenth LP, Japanese trio Boris tries to encompass all of the styles it has touched on over its long, ever-winding career.
– Prolific breakcore artist Venetian Snares releases his one-millionth full-length, an album that segues between Aaron Funk’s jungle brutality, melancholic cellos, brushed jazz drums, and strange sense of humor.
– On its new EP, Austra offers a standalone single—plus three instrumental jams—that offers a new look at the nuanced electronic trio.
– With only a guitar, bass, and drum machine, The Austerity Program releases another beast of mechanical post/alt/industrial-metal stuff.
Honorable mention
The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer: A Real Fine Mess (Tonic)