Deerhunter/Aldous Harding/Jock Gang

Singer-guitarist Bradford Cox noted that Tom Petty was at least one influence in Deerhunter’s latest record, Fading Frontier, and we can totally hear that. Of course, that means that Deerhunter flipped a tamer, less frenetic album on us this time around. It works, because Cox has maintained a self-awareness as a songwriter over these years. From Weird Era Cont, especially, onward, his knack for writing involved tunes that envelope the listener has only become sharper and more nuanced. The result — for now — is an album that maybe skips a lot of the brash and experimental turns that marks earlier albums, all while getting to the point in style. Check out “Living My Life,” which is quite stripped down and which communicates a simple and indelible message. Nice stuff. (Sandy)