The Dirty Projectors, 'Rise Above' (Dead Oceans)

Visionary Brooklynites record the year's weirdest tribute.

In a singular act of reinvention (and cojones), main Projector Dave Longstreth rewrites Black Flag's historic 1981 punk blast Damaged, keeping only the lyrics.

Tunng, 'Good Arrows' (Thrill Jockey)

Folktronica enigmas emit a tranquil but unsettling mist.

Nonchalance is the rule on the third full-length by this British band, but don't be fooled by Sam Genders' languid vocals or the delicate riffs of Mike Lindsay, who contributes synths, acoustic and electric guitars, and even dulcimer. Although Good Arrows could probably calm a cranky baby, uneasy thoughts lurk within the soothing notes.

Thrice, 'The Alchemy Index, Vols. I & II: Fire & Water' (Vagrant)

A post-emocore concept album that summons the elements.

These pop-resistant punk-metal fusionists left Island Records in June over creative differences, but their post-major-label output finds them soaring.

Wighnomy Bros./Robag Wruhme, 'Remikks Potpourri II' (Freude am Tanzen/Mute Tonträger)

German production team meticulously tweaks grooves.

On their second collection of remix work, Sören Bodner and Gabor Schablitzki may subtitle tracks with Scrabble-busting names like "Fukkeldibobb Remake" or "Herbstmoosmutzel Remix," but the music itself reveals minimal house at its most acute.

The Most Serene Republic, 'Population' (Arts&Crafts)

Like a band-room closet joyfully crammed with ideas.

This orchestral art-pop sextet from the Toronto suburbs up the triumphant racket on their second album, sounding as if labelmates Broken Social Scene recruited Polyphonic Spree's Tim DeLaughter and his giddy cohorts to sing and shout along.

Enon, 'Grass Geysers…Carbon Clouds' (Touch and Go)

Synth-punk vets give hyper assault a welcome polish.

Maybe Enon get more credit for weirdness than they deserve, or maybe the world has just gotten stranger since the Philly band's spastic beginnings, but their fourth album of electro-inflected jitter rock sounds surprisingly familiar.

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