A.C. Newman, “Get Guilty” (Matador) The second solo disc from this Canadian singer-songwriter is another exercise in sweet, light-infused power-pop. If you dig Newman’s other gigindie supergroup the New Pornographers — you’ll find much to love here.
Antony and the Johnsons, “The Crying Light” (Secretly Canadian) Love or hate his distinctively wavering vocals, you’ve got to give style points to Antony Hegarty. The Mercury Prize-winner, who has collaborated with everyone from Lou Reed to Björk, tackles organic themes this time out — with orchestrated arrangements by Nico Muhly.
Andrew Bird, “Noble Beast” (Fat Possum) Bird, a sometime member of Squirrel Nut Zippers, gives new meaning to “multitasker” on this eclectic, genre-spanning disc, which has more in common with ’70s folk-pop than today’s indie scene. (Bird plays the Ogden Theatre on Feb. 26.) John Wenzel
