Julien Baker, Lucy Dacus
Recommended
Julien Baker's debut album, Sprained Ankle, is a pained, sparsely instrumented chronicle of Baker's life, from religious reconciliation, to addiction, to relationship angst. Her voice is simultaneously fragile and pleading, with little more accompaniment than a guitar. It's not exactly new territory—think Chris Carrabba on a Mazzy Star kick—but it's incredibly effective. RYAN J. PRADO Also read our story on Lucy Dacus.