Top new album releases on June 13
On Friday, music enthusiasts were delighted by a range of exceptional new albums that hit the shelves at midnight. Among these releases, Los Angeles singer-songwriter Annahstasia, renowned for her appearance in Kendrick Lamar’s music video for “luther,” captured hearts with her unique blend of gravity and grace. Noteworthy jazz guitarist Mary Halvorson, recipient of a MacArthur “genius” grant in 2019, presented a new album under the production of Deerhoof’s John Dieterich. Another standout was jazz harpist Brandee Younger, whose latest album features her playing Alice Coltrane’s harp, representing a significant milestone in her career.
In the realm of new music, Nate Chinen from Philadelphia’s WRTI radio station and host Stephen Thompson delve into their top picks for the week on the June 13 episode of New Music Friday. The selected albums include Annahstasia’s “Tether,” offering a vibe reminiscent of Tracey Chapman and Nick Drake. Additionally, Mary Halvorson’s “About Ghosts,” resonating with fans of Bill Frisell and Peter Bernstein, and Brandee Younger’s “Gadabout Season,” evoking the spirit of Alice Coltrane and Shabaka Hutchings, were explored. Furthermore, Joe Armon-Jones presented “All The Quiet (Part II)” for fans of Ezra Collective and Makaya McCraven, while The Cure offered “Mixes for a Lost World,” ideal for listeners already devoted to the band or Orbital.
In a rapid-fire discussion roundup, albums deserving of additional attention included AJ Tracey’s “Don’t Die Before You’re Dead,” Theo Croker’s “dream manifest,” Cosey Fanni Tutti’s “2t2,” Terri Lyne Carrington’s collaboration with Christie Dashiell on “We Insist 2025!,” and Ella Hanshaw’s “Ella Hanshaw’s Black Book.” The featured songs from these albums can be easily accessed on the New Music Friday playlists available on Spotify and Apple Music platforms or other music streaming services for enthusiasts to enjoy.
For those wanting to delve into new releases by genre, a detailed list showcases notable albums across various categories. From Rock to Country/Folk/Americana, Electronic/Out There, and Global genres, the list features a wide array of artists, including King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Grateful Dead, Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts, Bloodshot Bill, Common Holly, and many more. Each album offers a unique sound and style worth exploring, catering to diverse musical tastes and preferences within the music landscape.