HOPELESSNESS

On her first album as ANOHNI, the indie singer formerly known as Antony Hegarty gets political. Hopelessness’ track titles read like they're yanked from a DC hardcore band’s setlist, but there isn’t a snarling yelp or guitar assault to be heard here. Instead, ANOHNI’s immaculate voice—which echoes Alison Moyet, Billie Holiday, and Boy George—takes on more depth than ever amidst Oneohtrix Point Never and Hudson Mohawke's experimental programming. She seethingly excoriates Barack Obama, brings urgency to climate change on “4 DEGREES,” and is inconceivably graceful on “Drone Bomb Me.” Every note just drips with pain and beauty.