Ken Tucker

The Murlocs are a side project of sorts to King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, where Ambrose Kenny-Smith and guitarist Cook Craig join other musicians to amalgamate all different styles of pop.

Husband and wife duo Cecil and Linda Womack's new album Conscience updates the classic soul sound for the 1980s. Rock critic Ken Tucker says it reveals the pain and devotion associated with long-term relationships.

It's a quandary many musicians face: Create material that explores new territory or give variations of the same? Tom Jones, Jackson Browne and John Mayer each answer that question in new releases.