Each month, tons of new music from many taste-spanning genres is released into a fast-consuming, unforgiving market; it can be tough to get a handle on what’s new before it’s on to the next. In an attempt to highlight the standout releases, at the end of each month, AUX staff re-cap the month in Punk, Metal, Indie/Pop/Rock, Hip Hop, Electronic, and Pop with the top five releases in each. Consider it your cheat sheet for year-end lists.

Top 5 Indie/Rock/Pop Releases:
August

 

Dan Deacon – America

Dan Deacon has made great strides since the beginning of his career to step back from the novelty image he teetered close to for a while, and if you’re a latecomer (something America has great potential to lure many of), you might wonder about his fringe status to begin with. America is a beautiful and pointed tale of the times, the story of Dan Deacon’s America, though, maybe surprisingly, less so the economic dirt and more literal dirt—the land. In this music as in America, as easy to let go as it is to get lost. (Domino)

(Merge)

Divine Fits – A Thing Called Divine Fits
	Give me all of the Britt Daniel, please.

Various – Just Tell Me That You Want Me: Tribute to Fleetwood Mac
	Because it’s summer’s last gasp and also because of the Antony cover of “Landslide.” (Hear Music)

(Shuffling Feet Records)

Evening Hymns – Spectral Dusk

Evening Hymn’s last record, 2009’s Spirit Guides, was a hidden gem in the Canadian music landscape when it was released, so it’s nice to see that, already, so soon after its release, new album Spectral Dusk sees singer Jonas Bonetta’s profile rising. Spectral Dusk was made in a period of mourning for Bonetta after the passing of his father, and the ache is deep; it’s less catharsis than it is coping, and it’s going to be on rotation into the fall, where it belongs.

Wild Nothing – Nocturne
	Proof there’s still room and reason for good, full, able-bodied guitar pop albums, Nocturne is textured, easy listening. The finest moment here for singer/songwriter Jack Tatum may well be the opening track “Shadow,” and while the rest ventures into very well-worn dream pop territory, sometimes, as the ol “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” saying goes, that is just good enough. (Captured Tracks)