John Maus

Add Date: June 21 

Artist: John Maus 

Album: We Must Become the Pitiless Censors of Ourselves 

Label: Ribbon Music/Domino 

Genre: Rock, synth pop, New Wave 

Comments: From the onesheet: "Ribbon Music's inaugural signing is Minnesota pop enigma John Maus... Questing synthesizers, tensely strung bass lines and chasing drum machines provid[e] the perfect backdrop for John's deeply resonant reverb-drenched vocal." Adds SPIN magazine: "Synths are always fluttering and shuddering, seemingly in reverse half the time, but never reliably swooning like in a proper '80s synth-pop song."

The two best songs on We Must Become the Pitiless Censors of Ourselves have been on our playlist since late May, when the single "Believer" added along with "Quantum Leap". Overall, though, the rest of the LP is very solid and engaging. Also spin "Hey Moon" and "Streetlight".