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In classical-music terms, "New Music" is always complicated to define. Yes, it's the current manifestation of the classical tradition, but these days, the edges of so-called New Music tend to bleed into the realms of ambient music, indie rock, jazz and even folk. So, rather than get bogged down in picky rules, Q2's Nadia Sirota simply opts for the 10 records from the past year that she can't stop playing.

Ever since the release of her hit 2006 album Begin to Hope, singer-songwriter Regina Spektor has become a left-field star. On her fifth studio album, this summer's Far, she makes her classical training work with her love of hip-hop, rock and jazz. In the process, she's again crafted an album full of intricate arrangements and witty lyricism.

Vic Chesnutt was paralyzed from the waist down at the age of 18, but he's still a massively productive songwriter. Chesnutt has fifteen albums under his belt and his songs have been covered by Madonna, Smashing Pumpkins, and R.E.M. His new album, At The Cut, is a collaboration with Guy Picciotto of the band Fugazi.

The Black Keys are known for their stripped-down, blues-inspired music. But in a new project called BlakRoc, they are breaking into the world of hip-hop and collaborating with rappers like RZA and Pharoahe Monch.

The Bohemian composer claimed that "everyone who has a nose must smell America" in his Symphony No. 9. But rather than serve as a musical postcard from abroad, Dvorak's Symphony From the New World ultimately serves as more of a fond look back toward home.

His best-known work — the music to A Charlie Brown Christmas — is currently airing across the country once again. But as a new anthology attests, Vince Guaraldi wrote and performed a lot more music that deserves attention, too.

With singer Amber Webber's quivering vibrato and Joshua Wells' warm piano accompaniment, the group specializes in quietly dark moments, whether in a shared glance or a finely knit harmony.

One of the most recognizable guitar riffs in America belongs to Living Colour. The band's 1988 hit, "Cult of Personality," won the group Grammy Awards and fame. In the past two decades, that fame faded, but Living Colour is back — and members say they've gained wisdom.

The musically gifted son of Paul Simon, Harper was on stage by the age of 12 as a guest on his father's famous '80s tour in support of Graceland. This fall, the younger Simon's solo debut finally surfaced. Earning comparisons to the work of Bob Dylan and Elliott Smith, the album showcases traditional gospel influences, Americana, rock and, of course, folk.

There are no second acts for supervillains, especially if they manage to conquer the world. In the early part of the century, 50 Cent rose to fame as hip-hop's resident antihero, and has been witnessing diminishing commercial returns ever since. The winkingly titled Before I Self Destruct is a statement of non-statement; it finds 50 Cent quietly settling comfortably into his niche.