Titus Andronicus' new album, The Most Lamentable Tragedy, comes out July 28. Courtesy of the artist. hide caption itoggle caption Courtesy of the artist. First Listen: Titus Andronicus, 'The Most Lamentable Tragedy' July 20, 2015 Shakespeare references, a cappella intermissions and sprawling 10-minute tracks aren't what first spring to mind when thinking about punk albums. But most punk albums aren't remotely like this one. Listen Loading… 1:38:39 Playlist Embed Embed Close embed modal <iframe src="http://www.npr.org/player/embed/423220507/424683748" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no">
Ashley Monroe's new album, The Blade, comes out July 24. Courtesy of the artist hide caption itoggle caption Courtesy of the artist First Listen: Ashley Monroe, 'The Blade' July 15, 2015 A solo singer, go-to collaborator and member of the Pistol Annies, Monroe is a star who's both arrived and rising: accepted by insiders without losing her veneer of outsider cool. Listen Loading… 46:51 Playlist Embed Embed Close embed modal <iframe src="http://www.npr.org/player/embed/422555795/422593512" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no">
Omar Souleyman's new album, Bahdeni Nami, comes out July 24. Courtesy of the artist hide caption itoggle caption Courtesy of the artist First Listen: Omar Souleyman, 'Bahdeni Nami' July 15, 2015 There may be no more unlikely act in indie/electronic music than a sunglasses-and-keffiyeh-wearing wedding singer with a chain smoker's gruff voice. Listen Loading… 51:26 Playlist Embed Embed Close embed modal <iframe src="http://www.npr.org/player/embed/422555830/422616726" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no">
Watkins Family Hour's self-titled debut comes out July 24. Courtesy of the artist hide caption itoggle caption Courtesy of the artist First Listen: Watkins Family Hour, 'Watkins Family Hour' July 15, 2015 Nickel Creek's Sara and Sean Watkins lead a good-natured variety show with an all-star cast that includes Fiona Apple, Greg Leisz, Benmont Tench and others. Listen Loading… 39:11 Playlist Embed Embed Close embed modal <iframe src="http://www.npr.org/player/embed/422555833/422603295" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no">
Jessie Jones' new album, Jessie Jones, comes out July 24. Courtesy of the artist hide caption itoggle caption Courtesy of the artist First Listen: Jessie Jones, 'Jessie Jones' July 15, 2015 On her debut album, the SoCal singer-songwriter takes an ambling path through many eras of psychedelic music, from acid blues to mystical odysseys and the late-'60s moment when psych met bubblegum. Listen Loading… 40:59 Playlist Embed Embed Close embed modal <iframe src="http://www.npr.org/player/embed/422555829/422619168" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no">
Tame Impala's new album, Currents, comes out July 17. Courtesy of the artist hide caption itoggle caption Courtesy of the artist Review: Tame Impala, 'Currents' July 12, 2015 Kevin Parker's new music veers farther away from psych-rock bombast and toward falsetto-dripped soul, fragments of dance music, and long interludes set aside for woozy, disorienting deliberation.
Jason Isbell's new album, Something More Than Free, comes out July 17. David McClister/Courtesy of the artist. hide caption itoggle caption David McClister/Courtesy of the artist. Review: Jason Isbell, 'Something More Than Free' July 8, 2015 The album balances clarity and grit in a way that highlights Isbell's competing halves: On one side, he's an immaculate old-school songsmith; on the other, he's a rebel with ragged edges.
Ratatat's new album, Magnifique, comes out July 17. Courtesy of the artist hide caption itoggle caption Courtesy of the artist Review: Ratatat, 'Magnifique' July 8, 2015 These are rock instrumentals that needn't overcompensate for their lack of words. They don't strain to be heard or scramble to stand out, but instead convey coolness that seems effortless.
Alan Jackson's new album, Angels And Alcohol, comes out July 17. Kristy Belcher/Courtesy of the artist hide caption itoggle caption Kristy Belcher/Courtesy of the artist Review: Alan Jackson, 'Angels And Alcohol' July 8, 2015 Though it's sure to attract accolades like "pure" and "classic," the country star's 15th album never seems mired in the past.
White Reaper's new album, White Reaper Does It Again, comes out July 17. Courtesy of the artist hide caption itoggle caption Courtesy of the artist Review: White Reaper, 'White Reaper Does It Again' July 8, 2015 On its first full-length album, the freewheeling Louisville band plays to classic rock 'n' roll ideals while simultaneously trying to dissolve them in acid.