Here are today’s new release highlights. I’ll have reviews of the Helio Sequence, Human Bell and Vampire Weekend in the coming weeks.

The Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead (Sub Pop)

The Helio Sequence (right) return for their second Sub Pop offering, mixing bits of modern-day shoegaze with the occasional folk ballad. The duo’s electronic tendencies have been pushed to the back burner, making way for a new obsession with Bob Dylan and an emphasis on tight, pop-schooled songcraft.

Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend (XL)

Internet darlings Vampire Weekend took a year and a half to perfect what their songs and sound, which they call “Upper West Side Soweto” — a vibrant mix of indie-, chamber- and Afro-pop. In blog years, that might make them ancient, but their self-titled debut should please indie fans who enjoy music as much as trend-chasing. Vampire Weekend is a concise, vivid album, full of memorable words and melodies.

The Five Blind Boys of Alabama - Down in New Orleans (Time Life)

Formed in 1939, The Blind Boys of Alabama have had an amazing seven decade career, releasing their own brand of gospel on every possible medium the history of recording has to offer, from 78s and LPs to eight track tapes, cassettes and CDs. On their newest album, the Chris Goldsmith-produced Down in New Orleans, the Blind Boys take a Crescent City route, working with veteran New Orleans musicians like the legendary Allen Toussaint and the result, thanks in part to the earthy and raspy lead vocals of founding member Jimmy Carter, has a joyous, lightly funky feel that reaches back into the long history of traditional southern gospel even as it updates that tradition with the trademark push and pull rhythms of classic New Orleans R&B.

Shelby Lynne - Just a Little Lovin’ (Lost Highway)

Shelby Lynne’s been a chamelon since the beginning of the decade, and on Just A Little Lovin’ she pays an homage to the music of Dusty Springfield. It’s a set of tunes recorded and bascially trademarked by the late British singer, from albums like Dusty In Memphis, the Look Of Love, and others. But Lynne doesn’t merely try to copy her inspiration; instead she gets inside these songs–with help from producer Phil Ramone–and makes them her own.

The Mars Volta - The Bedlam in Goliath (Universal)

The Bedlam in Goliath should have been the album where the Mars Volta either wore their formula down to nothing or abruptly turned in a different direction. Instead, the band created an album that nearly perfects what they’ve been working toward.

Also out today:

Joe Jackson - Rain (Rykodisc), Pop/Rock

Bonnie “Prince” Billy - Wilding in the West (Spunk), Alternative Singer/Songwriter, Indie Rock, Lo-Fi

Bullet for My Valentine - Scream Aim Fire (Jive/Zomba), Punk Metal, Screamo, Alternative Metal

Popa Chubby - Deliveries After Dark (Blind Pig), Blues-Rock, Modern Electric Blues, Contemporary Blues

Dimitri from Paris & DJ Muro - Super Disco Friends (Headphone Heroes), Club/Dance, Disco, Funk, Old-School Rap

Human Bell - Human Bell (Thrill Jockey), Experimental Rock, New Acoustic

Ida - Lovers Prayers (Polyvinyl), Sadcore, Indie Pop, Dream Pop

Louis XIV - Slick Dogs and Ponies (Atlantic), Indie Rock, Neo-Glam, Garage Punk

Willie Nelson - Moment of Forever (Lost Highway), Contemporary Country, Traditional Country

Thao - We Brave Bee Stings and All (Kill Rock Stars), Alternative Singer/Songwriter, Indie Pop

Lee “Scratch” Perry - Chicken Scratch (Heartbeat), Dub

Protest the Hero - Fortress (Vagrant), Post-Hardcore, Punk Metal, Progressive Metal, Emo

Radar Bros. - Auditorium (Merge), Slowcore, Indie Rock

Christopher Walla - Field Manual (Barsuk), Indie Pop, Indie Rock

Xiu Xiu - Women as Lovers (Kill Rock Stars), Experimental Rock, Indie Rock, Post-Rock/Experimental

Source: All Music Guide