DANCE
Katy B
“Little Red”
Producer: Geeneus
Label: Columbia/Rinse
Release Date: Feb. 10
Katy B’s second album is set mainly on the dancefloor, soul-searching like Robyn (“5 AM”) and mate-searching like Justin Timberlake. The results are stronger than the Brit’s lauded debut, “On a Mission.” Even at 17 tracks, there aren’t any throwaways, with a sequence that saves the best for last (potential hit “Hot Like Fire” is No. 15). Freestyle, house and even pop balladry are rendered with a light touch that has become B’s signature. It’s star-making stuff. -Kerri Mason
ALTERNATIVE
Phantogram
“Voices”
Producers: John Hill, Phantogram
Label: Republic Records
Release Date: Feb. 18
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Phantogram’s major-label debut provides a healthy helping of the New York duo’s signature trip-hoppy samples. The album lacks the quirkiness of the act’s earlier indie releases, unfortunately, but still shows the band’s potential. “Nothing but Trouble” and “Black Out Days” are pure electronic delight, enveloping the listener in jerky loops, soft static fuzz and the dreamy melancholy of Sarah Barthel’s vocals. -Gabrielle Sierra
ELECTRONIC
The Glitch Mob
“Love Death Immortality”
Producers: Edward Ma, Justin Boreta, Josh Mayer
Label: Glass Air
Release Date: Feb. 11
The Los Angeles-based trio doesn’t stray far from the formula of 2010 debut “Drink the Sea” on its follow-up. It’s hard, aggro and, well, glitchy, with just enough melody for each track to stand out. Driving marches like “Mind of a Beast” and “Can’t Kill Us” function wholly outside of today’s hook-driven EDM. Even on vocal-driven tracks, like “Our Demons” with Nico Vega’s formidable Aja Volkman, the beats take center stage. -Zel McCarthy
ALTERNATIVE
Bear Hands
“Distraction”
Producer: Ted Feldman
Label: Cantora Records
Release Date: Feb. 18
Four years after their debut album, these Brooklyn-by-way-of-Wesleyan hipsters keep it weird with a peppy collection of hook-driven pop-rock songs wrapped in trendy indie outfits. They’ve opened for former classmates MGMT — and could even probably teach their forerunners a thing or two about the glory of a sticky chorus. Case in point: Frenzied lead single “Giants” recently became Bear Hands’ first appearance on Billboard’s Alternative chart. -Chris Payne
WORLD
Various Artists
“From Another World — A Tribute to Bob Dylan”
Producer: Alain Weber
Label: Buda Musique/Allegro
Release date: Feb. 11
Musicians from distant lands deliver impressive interpretations of Bob Dylan songs tailored for indigenous musical forms on this tribute. Macedonia’s Kocani Orkestar turns “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35” into a bubbly march, “All Along the Watchtower” receives a suave son treatment by Cuba’s Eliades Ochoa, and Algeria’s Sayfi Mohamed Tahar pumps “Man Gave Names to All the Animals” with a compelling rhythmic thrust. -Phil Gallo