"Few string quartets on the scene today are as intrepid as Kronos in the exploration of unconventional form and methods to extend the reach of a centuries-old instrumental configuration," says All About Jazz in its review of the Quartet’s latest release, Terry RIley's The Cusp of Magic. "Few composers possess a body of work defined by such a rich palette of references as Riley ... It's no surprise, then, that Kronos and Riley have collaborated so often and so well, with The Cusp of Magic providing further evidence of a truly rare musical symbiosis."

Steve Reich's latest album, Daniel Variations, receives four stars from The Guardian, whose Andrew Clements writes of the title piece: "From the very first uneasy chord it is very obviously a searching, serious piece and, I think, one of Reich's major statements." The album is now available in the Nonesuch Store with the exclusive bonus download, Dance Patterns.

Attack & Release, says KCRA-Sacramento, marks "a new musical paradigm for The Black Keys." The band is "now reborn and under a sign that bodes them well." And by year's end, it "shouldn't be a surprise to see the record wind up on many critics best-of lists." Metro Toronto gives the album four stars, calling the Black Keys / Danger Mouse pairing "a synergy that is so good." The Tampa Tribune exclaims that the band has unlocked a "grimy blues treasure trove" with the album.

The Brad Mehldau Trio's performance of Oasis's signature song, "Wonderwall," from the Trio's recent two-disc Nonesuch release, Live, is the latest add to the Stereogum "Gum Mix." You can listen to the track in the Mix and download it from stereogum.com/mp3.

Congratulations to The Black Keys on the debut of their latest album, Attack & Release, at No. 14 on the Billboard album chart, marking a career high for the band. Detroit's Metro Times says the songs on the album "boast the intimate homegrown shagginess of The Black Keys' previous releases, but with numerous nuanced musical and production shimmers winningly integrated by producer Danger Mouse," blending "an epic quality with a timeless immediacy, making it lush, visual and 'soundtrack-y' in the best David Lynch or Quentin Tarantino sense."