English indie rock band Alt-J returns with their latest album “The Dream,” releasing nearly five years after its last studio album. Despite having released only four studio albums over the course of ten years, Alt-J generates a distinctiveness in themselves that places them as one of the most deeply creative bands working today. Lyrically and vocally, most of their songs are layered with meanings that lean into meta-commentary and psychological elements. There are times when their songs require multiple listens to fully understand, especially the lyrics, but they nonetheless have a piercing impact on listeners. “The Dream” is a welcome return for the band that communicates raw emotion through its intimate lyrics and soothing sounds.

For those who tracked the Weeknd’s progression as an artist right from his early mixtapes, it is clear that he is a storyteller as much as he is a singer. Each album is defined by his own personal experiences and celebrity lifestyle. Each of his eras boast a quality and production design reminiscent of what we see in cinema, as he forms light narrative threads across the diverse tones. If “After Hours” is the dark descent into the artist’s soul, drenched in moodiness, then “Dawn FM” is the brighter and groovy ascent to new heights.

Someone named Pat Murphy commented on one of my old blog posts over the weekend, encouraging me to listen to his band's new single, called "Working Mom." No, it wasn't spam. Murphy is a real person, and...