Listen Up: Other notable releases

By Edna Gundersen, Jerry Shriver and Steve Jones, USA TODAY

Fleet Foxes turns down the intensity and boosts the beauty and poetry on Helplessness Blues.

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  By Graham Denholm, Getty Images

  Robin Pecknold and his Fleet Foxes bandmates have a new album out, Helplessness Blues.

By Graham Denholm, Getty Images

Robin Pecknold and his Fleet Foxes bandmates have a new album out, Helplessness Blues.

Fleet Foxes, Helplessness Blues

* * * * INDIE FOLK

It's not easy for a gentle, folky acoustic band to be heard above the din of the day's aggressive, machined hip-hop and dance-pop. The Seattle sextet's exquisite sophomore album, low on intensity and fireworks but long on beauty and poetry, is sure to get attention with its sublime melodies, transcendent harmonies, smartly crafted lyrics and nuanced idiosyncrasies. An instant contender for album of the year. ? Edna Gundersen

> Download:The Plains/Bitter Dancer, Bedouin Dress

Stevie Nicks/Sound & Noise, In Your Dreams

* * * � DREAMY POP

On her first solo album in a decade, the pop priestess delivers a lucky 13 tracks of torchy, tender and engaging tunes aimed at the heart of adult-contemporary radio. There are touches of country and soul, but mostly this is gorgeous, melodic romance-pop, creatively arranged. (Producer Dave Stewart co-wrote about half of the album.) Lyrically, Nicks plays it a bit too safe by leaning hard ? again ? on dreams/angels/ghosts imagery. The strongest songs are the more personal. ? Jerry Shriver

> Download:Everybody Loves You, Soldiers Angel

Musiq Soulchild, musiqinthemagiq

* * * R&B

The neo-soul crooner dedicates his sixth album to relationships, building his songs around conversations between lovers. On grooving lead single Anything, he emphasizes that a little trust can allay a lot of insecurities. Elsewhere, he promises to make up for his time on the road, takes a pass on a potential flame because he's already committed, and begs his girl to cut all the drama. The magic is in the realism. ? Steve Jones

> Download:�Sayido, Dowehaveto, Single

The Beastie Boys, Hot Sauce Committee Part Two

* * * RAP/ROCK

The nice thing about the Beastie Boys is they never try to be anybody else. The off-kilter hip-hop/alt-rock blend they've had since the mid-'80s is so unique, and Mike D, Ad Rock and MCA are perpetually cool. Their first album since 2007's all-instrumental The Mix-Up is as snarky and funky as ever. The first single sets the tone, so be ready to Make Some Noise. ? Jones

> Download:�Too Many Rappers, Lee Majors Come Again

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