A Hawk and a HacksawThe Way the Wind BlowsLeaf
The Leaf label has gone apeshit, releasing more and more ambitious records than a majority of its contemporaries. A Hawk and a Hacksaw is living proof of the new direction, with their uniquely crafted gypsy anthems. We’re not sure if it’s the chanting vocals, the layered accordion, or the scattered string solos that make this the creep-out record of the year, but it works.

Forest Jackson Cymbalism Mosz
Static contributor Hanno Leichtmann pushes away from his prior endeavors on his debut as Forest Jackson. Focusing primarily on the use of cymbals, this post-Pan Sonic, dub-infused record has mellowed its way into the humble heart of XLR8R.

Plus DevicePunctureHefty
It’s easy to dismiss dark electro in the vein of AFX or Kraftwerk, simply because its damn near impossible to come close to creating anything comparable to its predecessors. Yet, Plus Device can turn Moog sounds into a prelude to hell, making Puncture an eerie escape into a 4 a.m.-induced mind-trickery. This finely tuned full-length will get inside your head and under your skin.

65daysofstaticOne Time For All TimeMonotreme
So their name may sound like they belong on a bill with My Chemical Romance–or something equally silly–but do not be fooled. 65daysofstatic unravels an epic dose of orchestral post-rock in the vein of Mogwai or a sedated Don Caballero. One Time For All Time may be the tripped-out record that shakes up a scene dominated by a sea of veterans.

VariousScience Faction: Dubstep Mixed By DJ CleverBBS
If you love for dubstep the way we do, this comp will not fail to satiate your cravings for the deepest and dirtiest of our beloved genre. Featuring exclusive tracks from Planet Mu and Hotflush artists, BBS has got us pumped on their Science Faction series in a serious way.

Kaos & Sal PCollectors Series Pt. 2: Danse, Gravité Zero Faith
If twenty of the most passionate disco enthusiasts compiled their most rare and prized 12″s, they would have nothing on Berlin’s favorite DJ/producer Kaos and Liquid Liquid’s manic percussionist Sal P. For the second installment in Stefan Struever’s Collectors Series, the duo whips up some tripped-out disco magic with a mix that combines artists from Throbbing Gristle to Logic System to Yello.

SoulphictionState of EuphoriaSonar Kollektiv
If you haven’t heard, Soulphiction is Jackmate of Pokerflat/Playhouse fame reborn as a soulful, downtempo hip-hop producer. On State of Euphoria, homeboy brings the funk with some upbeat love that finds solace in house as much as hip-hop. If a Sunday afternoon in the sun with your old lady had a theme song, it’s on this album.

Mobb DeepLife of the Infamous: The Best of Mobb DeepLoud
If there’s one hip-hop duo that easily puts most MCs in their place, it’s Mobb Deep. On this quintessential collection of hits, Prodigy and Havoc bring the Queensbridge nihilism that changed the urban landscape in the most intense way.

VariousDramatis PersonaeChemikal Underground
Chemikal Underground ruled the mid-’90s roost when it came to Scottish indie rock and twee pop. And despite the fact that a number of these bands have since broken up (bis and Arab Strap to name a couple), collections like this send us right back to a time when we fiended mercilessly for the stuff. The DVD includes a slew of videos, eight from Arab Strap alone. Awesome!

So PercussionAmid the NoiseCantaloupe Music
Produced by Lawson White of Alarm Will Sound: Acoustica fame, So Percussion is a four-drummer powerhouse that has earned its degree in post-rock mastery. Slated to tour this fall with Matmos, we expect these talented bros to go a long way toward setting the mood.