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New Music Friday: The best albums out May 22 May 22, 2026

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Aja Monet. Jack Antonoff's Bleachers. Radiohead's Ed O'Brien. Guest host Ann Powers chats with Aurora McGuckin of MVY Radio in Massachusetts about their favorite albums out Friday, May 22. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer their personal picks in the lightning round.
The Starting 5
(00:00) Bleachers, 'everyone for ten minutes'
(06:55) JPEGMAFIA, 'EXPERIMENTAL RAP'
(12:49) Ed O'Brien, 'Blue Morpho'
(19:01) aja monet, 'the color of rain'
(25:19) Lowertown, 'Ugly Duckling Union'
(30:35) The Lightning Round
- Alela Diane, 'Who's Keeping Time?'
- Mexican Institute of Sound & Meridian Brothers, 'Ruido Tovar'
- Balming Tiger, 'Gongbu'
- Bill Orcutt & Mabe Fratti, 'Almost Waking'
- Traumprinz, 'Life'
Sample the albums via our New Music Friday playlist and see our Long List of notable releases on NPR.org.
Credits:
Host: Ann Powers
Guest: Aurora McGuckin, MVY Radio
Audio Producer: Noah Caldwell
Digital Producer: Dora Levite
Editors: Otis Hart, Elle Mannion
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Special thanks to Lars Gotrich and Robin Hilton
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Alt.Latino: Gipsy Kings are back, Julieta Venegas' norteña roots and more May 20, 2026

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Two different pioneers - from two different continents - are at the heart of this episode of new music. Since the late 80s, Gipsy Kings have been infusing Catalan rumba flamenca with a pop sensibility that defies the purists. Their new single "Historia," from an upcoming album of the same name, shows they've still got that punchy danceability forty years on. And across the pond, Mexican rocker and songwriter Julieta Venegas explores the musical roots of her norteña heritage on a new album, playing with the biculturalism that defines so much of life along the border.
Plus, Las Añez brings twin harmonies to Andean folk-pop, Helado Negro teams up with Reyna Tropical, Mexican upstart Esteesgarcia confounds Ana and Felix, and more!
Artists & songs featured in this episode:
(00:22) Las Añez - "Cebolla", "Libéralo"
(05:21) Helado Tropical - "Tocando"
(09:44) Esteesgarcia - "south kids", "Okupa"
(14:35) Gipsy Kings - "Historia"
(23:23) Julieta Venegas ft. Yahritza y Su Esencia - "La Línea"
(25:53) bpuntito - "colitaderana", "después"
(31:29) Ana Moura & MARO - "Era de Aquário/Deixa o Sol Entrar"
This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music.
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All Songs Considered: Gracie Abrams hits a wall, more best new songs May 19, 2026

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Our latest mix of the week’s best new songs includes a moody reflection on burnout from Gracie Abrams, rising L.A. duo Evening Elephants, the elusive electronic collagists Ear and more.
NPR Music’s Dora Levite joins host Robin Hilton.
Please leave a glowing review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And tell a friend to listen!
Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org
Featured artists and songs:
(00:00) Intro
(01:45) Gracie Abrams: “Hit the Wall”
(08:10) Zoh Amba: “Eyes Full"
(14:18) Jazmin Bean: “Darling”
(21:57) Ear: “Ne Plus Ultra”
(27:46) Evening Elephants: “A Digital Touch”
(33:07) Knats: “Carpet Doctor (feat. Geordie Greep)”
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Interview: Isaiah Rashad is ready to bare his soul May 16, 2026

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It’s been five years since we last heard music from Isaiah Rashad. And four years since he largely disappeared from the public eye after two leaked sex tapes, featuring Rashad with other men, upended his life. Now, he's back. On his album, 'It's Been Awful,' he reaches new levels of clarity and intimacy. Having survived hypervisibility, this new music encapsulates what it means to truly be seen.
In this episode, NPR Music's Rodney Carmichael sits down with Rashad for a wide-ranging interview about the new album, family, addiction and masculinity in hip hop.
This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell and edited by Sheldon Pearce.
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New Music Friday: The best albums out May 15 May 15, 2026

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Jobi Riccio. Dua Saleh. Tank and the Bangas. Plus, others not named Drake! NPR Music's Stephen Thompson chats with Joe Kendrick of WNCW in North Carolina about their favorite albums out Friday, May 15. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer their personal picks in the lightning round.
The Starting 5
(00:00) Introduction & Jobi Riccio, 'Face The Feeling'
(07:49) Dua Saleh, 'Of Earth & Wires'
(15:38) Tank and the Bangas, 'The Last Balloon'
(21:41) Cocanha, 'Flame Folclòre'
(26:50) Tamikrest, 'Assikel'
(33:01) The Lightning Round
- Eluvium, 'Virga III'
- Kevin Morby, 'Little Wide Open
- Martyn, 'Music for Existing'
- Julieta Venegas, 'Norteña'
- Jeff Parker ETA IVtet, 'Happy Today'
Sample the albums via our New Music Friday playlist and see our Long List of notable releases on NPR.org.
Credits:
Host: Stephen Thompson
Guest: Joe Kendrick, WNCW
Audio Producer: Noah Caldwell
Digital Producer: Dora Levite
Editors: Otis Hart, Elle Mannion
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Special thanks to Lars Gotrich and Anamaria Sayre
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Alt.Latino: Our favorite Latin Tiny Desk Contest entries May 13, 2026

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Since 2014, we've been hitting bands up to send in their videos for the opportunity to win the Tiny Desk Contest. And almost from the beginning, Alt.Latino has been pulling aside the bands and artists that play Latin music. It’s always been a highlight to see the incredible talent that's out there night after night in bars, clubs, community centers, street parties and backyards, finding new ways to express their Latino identity through music. This year was no different.
We waded through hundreds of entries to select the six to feature this week, which showcase a huge variety of musical expressions.
And a reminder: you can see every band that sent in a video this year right here - and a big shout out to this year’s winner, Cure For Paranoia!
Artists and songs featured in this episode:
(04:10) Sofia Gomez, "Without Me"
(07:58) Ed Harvest, "Me Toca Despedirme de Ti"
(11:05) alegrías, "Wahoo!"
(16:05) Ivan Llanes and Friends, "Cubahia"
(22:27) Majo Puente, "MAKTUB"
(25:56) Thee Almighty Majestics, "Última Noche"
This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive director of NPR Music.
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All Songs Considered: Charli xcx, Mike D, Boards of Canada May 12, 2026

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Our latest mix of the best new tracks this week includes a massive eye-roll from Charli xcx, the first-ever solo music from Mike D of the Beastie Boys, another surprise drop from electronic music icons Boards of Canada, and more.
NPR Music’s Lars Gotrich joins host Robin Hilton.
Leave us a glowing review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And tell a friend to listen!
Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org
Featured artists and songs:
(00:00) Intro
(01:18) Charli xcx: “Rock Music” (Single)
(07:30) Starflyer 59: “I’m Disappointed” from Disappointed EP
(12:22) Mike D: “Switch Up” (Single)
(19:53) Black Swan Network: “The Shell” from The Early Music, Vol. 1
(25:30) Hannah Cohen: “Golden Chain” (Single)
(31:55) Boards of Canada: “Introit/Prophecy At 1420 MHz” from Inferno
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New Music Friday: The best albums out May 8 May 08, 2026

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MUNA. Stephen Sanchez. Lykke Li. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson chats with Celia Gregory from WNXP in Nashville about their favorite albums out Friday, May 8. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer personal picks in our lightning round.
The Starting 5
(00:00) MUNA, 'Dancing On The Wall'
(08:17) Aldous Harding, 'Train on the Island'
(16:00) Deb Never, 'Arcade'
(22:15) Lykke Li, 'The Afterparty'
(28:12) Stephen Sanchez, 'LOVE, LOVE, LOVE'
(34:46) The Lightning Round
- Ashley McBryde, 'Wild'
- Broken Social Scene, 'Remember The Humans'
- Ray Bull, 'Please Stop Laughing'
- Anastasia Kristensen, 'Bestiarium Sombre'
- Amy Grant, 'The Me That Remains'
Sample the albums via our New Music Friday playlist and see our Long List of notable releases on NPR.org.
Credits:
Host: Stephen Thompson
Guest: Celia Gregory, WNXP
Audio Producer: Noah Caldwell
Digital Producer: Dora Levite
Editors: Otis Hart, Elle Mannion
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Special thanks to Robin Hilton, Ann Powers and Lars Gotrich
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All Songs Considered: Call your mom May 05, 2026

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With Mother’s Day nearing, listeners share songs that remind them of their moms and the deeply moving stories behind them.
NPR's Mitra Arthur joins host Robin Hilton.
Support the show with a review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And tell a friend!
Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org
Featured artists and songs:
(00:00) Intro / “Stardust” by Hoagy Carmichael
(01:52) Christina Aguilera: “Beautiful”
(06:06) Jeannie C. Riley: “Harper Valley P.T.A.”
(10:09) Kermit the Frog: “Rainbow Connection”
(13:50) Phyllis Hyman: “You Know How To Love Me”
(17:16) MILCK: “Oh, Mother”
(21:58) Christina Perri: “You Are My Sunshine”
(25:33) The Tokens: “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”
(29:16) Four Tops: “Reach Out I’ll Be There”
(33:43) Sweet Honey In The Rock: “Wanting Memories”
Note: A version of this episode originally ran in 2024
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New Music Friday: The best albums out May 1 May 01, 2026

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Kacey Musgraves. American Football. Tori Amos. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson chats with Jewly Hight from WPLN in Nashville about their favorite albums out Friday, May 1. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer personal picks in our lightning round.
The Starting 5
(00:00) Kacey Musgraves, 'Middle of Nowhere'
(08:41) American Football, 'American Football (LP4)'
(16:25) Isaiah Rashad, 'IT'S BEEN AWFUL'
(21:42) Tori Amos, 'In Times of Dragons'
(28:09) Ana Roxanne, 'Poem 1'
(33:38) The Lightning Round
- Jesca Hoop, 'Long Wave Home'
- Casper Sage, 'PATINA'
- duendita, 'existential thottie'
- Maisy Owen, 'Dark on a Sunny Day'
- Octo Octa, 'Sigils For Survival'
Sample the albums via our New Music Friday playlist and see our Long List of notable releases on NPR.org.
Credits:
Host: Stephen Thompson
Guest: Jewly Hight, WPLN
Audio Producer: Noah Caldwell
Digital Producer: Dora Levite
Editors: Otis Hart, Elle Mannion
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Special thanks to Ann Powers and Hazel Cills
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