New Music Friday: Albums Released on June 12

Welcome to New Music Friday by NPR Music, a podcast focused on presenting the top albums released each week. We review numerous new releases ahead of time, pick the ones you ought to hear, and feature our favorite five through snippets, context, and commentary.

NPR Music’s Stephen Thompson hosts the podcast, with a contributor from the NPR Music Network. This week, the guest is Nastia Voynovskaya from KQED in San Francisco.

The Starting 5

Here are the top five albums we discussed:

• Olivia Rodrigo, “You seem pretty sad for a girl so in love” (Geffen)
  Recommended If You Like (RIYL): Taylor Swift, Gracie Abrams
• Pussy Riot, “CYKA” (Stem)
  RIYL: Peaches, Mannequin Pussy
• YHWH Nailgun, “Magazine” (4AD)
  RIYL: Model/Actriz, Water From Your Eyes
• Hayley Kiyoko, “Girls like girls (the album)” (One Riot)
  RIYL: Lorde, King Princess
• Six Sex, “ULTRA” (Dale Play)
  RIYL: Arca, Charli XCX

Listen to the discussion on the NPR App, Apple, Spotify, or other podcast platforms.

The Lightning Round

Here are five more albums the NPR Music staff recommends:

• Kelsey Lu, “So Help Me God” (Dirty Hit)
• Ambrose Akinmusire & Mary Halvorson, “Slo-Mo Neon Luminate Hoverings” (Nonesuch)
• Diles Que No Me Maten, “Escrito en Agua” (Moonlight Activities)
• Horse Lords, “Demand to Be Taken to Heaven Alive!” (RVNG Intl.)
• Mon Laferte, “Femme Fatale Vol. 2” (Sony)

Explore more songs on our New Music Friday playlists on Spotify and Apple.

Dora’s Corner

Dora Levite, the production assistant, shares her favorite albums not featured on the show:

• Anysia Kym & Tony Seltzer, “Purity (Flips)” (10K)
• Sports Boyfriend, “Slice of Life” (self-released)
• KatzPascale, “ELEGY EP” (SONIC GUCK)

The Long List

Here are more albums categorized by genre:

Rap/Hip-Hop

• Wiki, “Ancient History” (Wikset Enterprise)
• BabyChiefDoit, “R.A.M.B.O” (APG)

Classical

• Katia & Marielle Labèque, “55 (box set)” (Deutsche Grammophon)
• Dustin O’Halloran, “Lumière (Expanded)” (Splinter)
• Vitamin String Quartet, “VSQ Performs SZA” (CMH)

Country/Folk/Americana

• Breakfield, “Breakfield” (Round)
• Dawn Landes, “Catch a Little Sun” (self-released)
• Duane Betts, “Isle of Hope” (Sun)
• Alex Amen, “Sun of Amen” (ATO)

Electronic/Out There

• Sepehr, “Fool’s Ovation” (Kapsela)
• Big Brave, “In Grief or In Hope” (Thrill Jockey)

Jazz

• Ize Trio, “Global Prayer” (self-released)
• Kalia Vandever, “MANA” (International Anthem)

Pop

• Bebe Rexha, “Dirty Blonde” (EMPIRE)
• Jessie Reyez, “A Little Vengeance” (Island)

R&B/Soul

• BLXST, “Labor of Love” (Empire)
• Bendrethegiant, “Swollen Eyes” (Tender Loving Empire)

Rock/Alt/Indie

• Guitar Wolf, “More Jet” (Goner)
• Picastro, “Double On Time” (We Are Busy Bodies)

Credits: Host: Stephen Thompson, Guest: Nastia Voynovskaya (KQED), Audio: Noah Caldwell, Producer: Elle Mannion, Production Assistant: Dora Levite, Editor: Otis Hart, Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed, Executive Director: Sonali Mehta.