Launching January 5

I had to listen to music in a very different way this year, with both a broader lens and a narrower focus. Because of that, this list may seem all over the place, as it culls records from across the rock, rhythm, and roots spectrum that were most-added to the Record Bin library.

It started with a poem. Written on a plane. A year ago this month, actually. With the Hollywood Bowl Joni Jam checked off the to-do list and only herself to reckon with, Brandi Carlile embarked on her next adventure... an open horizon into which she flew and an empty page on which she wrote. And thus began the journey of returning to herself and Returning to Myself. Co-produced by Brandi with Andrew Watt and Aaron Dessner, plus help from Justin Vernon, the album is indeed a return, even as it i