New Music Friday Highlights: Albums Out June 12

New Music Releases of the Week

Welcome to New Music Friday, a podcast from NPR Music aimed at presenting the best albums released each week. We listen to numerous new titles ahead of their release to highlight five standout albums, offering a mix of clips, context, and expert opinions. The podcast is hosted by Stephen Thompson from NPR Music. Each episode features a guest from NPR Music’s network of public radio stations. This week’s special guest is Nastia Voynovskaya from KQED in San Francisco.

Featured Albums

Our featured lineup for June 12 includes:

• Olivia Rodrigo, you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love (Geffen) Recommended for fans of Taylor Swift and Gracie Abrams
• Pussy Riot, CYKA (Stem) Recommended if you like Peaches and Mannequin Pussy
• YHWH Nailgun, Magazine (4AD) Recommended for followers of Model/Actriz and Water From Your Eyes
• Hayley Kiyoko, girls like girls (the album) (One Riot) Recommended for admirers of Lorde and King Princess
• Six Sex, ULTRA (Dale Play) Recommended if you enjoy Arca and Charli XCX

You can catch the discussion on NPR’s All Songs Considered using the NPR App, Apple, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.

The Lightning Round

NPR Music staff wishes they could have discussed these albums:

• 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)

Discover each album’s best songs on the New Music Friday playlists available on Spotify and Apple, or wherever you stream.

Dora’s Corner

Production assistant Dora Levite selects her favorite albums not featured on the show:

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

Wider Selection

Here is the extended list of albums released this week across various genres, including Classical, Country/Folk/Americana, Electronic, Jazz, Pop, R&B/Soul, Rock/Alt/Indie, and Global music:

• Rap/Hip-Hop: Wiki, Ancient History (Wikset Enterprise); BabyChiefDoit, R.A.M.B.O (APG)
• Classical: Katia & Marielle Labèque, 55 (Deutsche Grammophon); Dustin O’Halloran, Lumière (Expanded) (Splinter); Vitamin String Quartet, VSQ Performs SZA (CMH)
• Electronic/Out There: Sepehr, Fool’s Ovation (Kapsela); Big Brave, in grief or in hope (Thrill Jockey); Baauer, U (LUCKYME); Shabason & Krgovich, Four Days In June (Idée Fixe)
• Jazz: Ize Trio, Global Prayer (self-released); Kalia Vandever, MANA (International Anthem); Olaf Rupp, Fuzzy Logic (Palilia)
• Pop: Bebe Rexha, Dirty Blonde (EMPIRE); Jessie Reyez, A Little Vengeance (Island); Leenalchi, Here Comes That Crow (Luaka Bop)

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