Hell RellFor the Hell of ItKoch
What’s more refreshing than an East Coast hip-hop record that’s as hard as Mobb Deep without sounding anything like them? Dipset’s Hell Rell has officially pounded out 15 tracks for the streets. Featuring down-and-out production on songs like “Life in the Ghetto” and “Do It for the Hustlers,” this surprising release may inspire Prodigy and company to release something worthwhile. If you appreciate references to goons, 44’s, and stealing chains more than two stepping, ayo technology, and living the good life, then get your hands on this one. FM

The Four Mints Gently Down Your Stream Asterisk
Clearly not satisfied with just releasing those impeccable compilations of lost labels and sub-genres, The Numero Group has spawned the off-shoot label Asterisk, which releases entirely remastered LPs by forgotten artists. One of three inaugural offerings, Gently Down Your Stream, is full of early ’70s soul with just the right mix of melodramatic ballads and funky, chugging groovers. RH 

DanavaWhere Beauty and Terror Dance 7” Kemado
’70s psych-rock may be petitioned as the next “in” thing–as indicated by the swarm of longhairs all over major cities–but Danava has gone one step beyond beard appreciation with Where Beauty and Terror Dance. Although the Portland-based band’s aesthetic remains somewhere in between Bowie and Rob Halford, it can still deliver spaced-out, Sabbath-induced mayhem. There’s a place in heaven for innovative fuzz-rockers, and the Danava boys are the first in line at the gate. FM

VariousWell Deep, Ten Years of Big Dada RecordingsBig Dada
We get label anniversary comps all the time here at XLR8R (Yay! You released your sixth 12”! Let’s celebrate!), but compared to most, this Big Dada ten-year compilation feels like a document of musical progression. Wiley, TTC, Diplo, cLOUDDEAD, Roots Manuva, Ty–the talent on this comp speaks for itself. RH

Skull DiscoSoundboy PunishmentsRough Trade
Skull Disco is Appleblim and Skackleton, the London-based producers behind some of the most brutal dubstep released since the genre’s inception. Using metallic, Middle Eastern percussion and scary, Halloween-esque atmospherics, these two shaman warriors are reclaiming dubstep from the Burning Man sect. Would Skull Disco tour with sludge outfit Earth? Probably not. Could they? Fuck yeah, they could. FM 

VariousDavid Shrigley’s Worried NoodlesTomlab
David Shrigley published a songbook (drawings and lyrics) in 2005 titled Worried Noodles, and it caught the attention of some musicians. This release is a double LP of interpretations of Shrigley’s lyrics by various musicians. Featuring David Bryne, Tussle, Grizzly Bear, Deerhoof, Max Tundra, and Liars, it’s like the best Exquisite Corpse of all time. RH

Letters LettersS/TType
This Montreal-based trio makes music you’d want to call “folk” if it didn’t delve so much into electronics, and “pop” if it weren’t so noisy. It doesn’t matter either way–what’s important is that Letters Letters is sonically fresh, emotionally forthright, and completely engrossing. Montreal: Keep it up. RH

Joy DivisionUnknown Pleasures, Closer, and Still Collectors Editions Rhino
Everybody’s all Joy Division-this, Joy Division-that all of a sudden… it’s like there’s a movie coming out about the band or something. To coincide with the hoopla Rhino has gone and reissued all of the group’s albums with super-special, double-pack treatment: Not only do you get the original discs but you also get two 1980 U.K. live shows and a brilliant performance at Manchester’s Factory from 1979. Incredible. KT

Kim HiorthøyMy Last DaySmalltown Supersound
We’ve been lovin’ up Norway in a big way lately, but the place deserves it. On top of stellar diskø stuff and Bjørn Torske’s amazing live shows, the Norwegians just keep heaping it on. Kim Hiorthøy’s My Last Day brings butter and heat, with smooth and dance-y electronics for the floor and nicely tempered ambient pings, dings, and samples turned on their ear. The perfect way to usher in the crisp fall months ahead. KT

Turbo CrystalFrench GirlTiny Sticks
Can you really call it a remix when the remixer is an entire band? We’re not sure, but we do know that the Escort remix on this 12” is some funky Rick James-esque heat. Escort does the “authentic” disco-funk thing better than just about anyone in the game (just ask Managing Editor Ken Taylor–this track made him kill a man!). RH