New this week: Kesha, Guided By Voices, Bebe Rexha, and more

Wendy Geller

Searching for something to listen to this weekend? Yahoo Music has you covered with a rundown of some of this week’s biggest and buzzing releases, including Kesha, Guided by Voices, Bebe Rexha, and more. Check back every Friday for a fresh list of albums to help fuel your weekend playlists.

Kesha: Rainbow (Kemosabe/RCA). The pop star emerges from her recent personal and professional challenges with a dramatically diverse comeback record, showing off her ability to outright rock varied musical influences and personal loves ranging from retro top 40 to Nashville honky-tonk swing.

Guided by Voices: How Do You Spell Heaven? (GBV, Aug. 14). The latest album from what is probably the world’s most prolific band on earth shows off their latest incarnation (the ever-present Robert Pollard, Doug Gillard, Bobby Bare Jr, Mark Shue, and Kevin March) and is 15 songs worth of yet more of their endless, trademark slightly off-kilter sound.

Bebe Rexha: All Your Fault: Pt. 2 (Warner Bros.). The second EP in Rexha’s installment features heavyweight guest appearances from Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz, and Gucci Mane on its six-song tracklisting. Murda Beatz, Frank Dukes, and Stargate handle production duties.

Hinder: The Reign (The End/BMG). Hinder has always operated in a somewhat limiting situation as a band known for radio-friendly rock, a genre that’s not always easy to gain critical respect. On their latest, they don’t mess with this formula; instead they strive to grow it, resulting in a surprisingly thoughtful set.

Downtown Boys: Cost of Living (Sub Pop). Providence, RI’s Downtown Boys continue their bombastic approach to protest music — this is their third release, and while it’s certainly not lacking in the in-your-face direct approach, it also has a maturity level that was clearly honed with experience on their last two albums.

Lindsay Ell: The Project (Stoney Creek). Produced by Sugarland’s Kristian Bush, Ell’s studio full-length debut shows off her confident approach to country, which some describe as a female answer to Keith Urban.

Hamell on Trial: Tackle Box (New West). Like many other artists out there right now, singer-songwriter Ed Hamell draws inspiration from the current Presidential administration and the resulting tension spreading across the nation. Sometimes billed as a “one-man punk band,” it’s no surprise he has a steady grip on covering political themes.

Will Hoge: Anchors (Thirty Tigers). Celebrated Nashville songwriter Hoge enlists guests Sheryl Crow and Fats Kapli to join him on his latest journey, an 11-track exploration of country/folk/genre-bending sounds and gritty, heartfelt personal examinations.

Paul Kelly: Life is Fine (GawdAggie/Cooking Vinyl/RED). Australian singer-songwriter Kelly is somewhat of a national treasure in his homeland, having a prolific multi-decade career. On his latest, he gets a bit retro with a sonic nod to his ’80s past.

Emily Saliers: Murmuration Nation (MRI). This is the solo debut from Indigo Girls’ Saliers — while her clear, direct vocals and thoughtful takes will seem familiar, there’s an undeniably deeper and more personal level to this record, fitting for an artist who is making her first solo record at the age of 53.

A.J. Croce: Just Like Medicine (Compass). This record contains the younger Croce’s recording of “The Name of the Game,” an unreleased song by his late father, Jim Croce. Overall, Croce has established the goal of making a very real record with no need for pretention.