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New Music Friday: The best albums out June 6

New Music Friday: The best albums out June 6

Update: 2025-06-062
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This podcast episode reviews several new music releases across various genres. It begins with Turnstile's "Never Enough," a significant album in the hardcore scene, praised for its introspective lyrics and genre-bending sound. Next, the hosts discuss Pulp's long-awaited return with "Everythings You've Come To Expect," highlighting Jarvis Cocker's unique style and lyrical themes. Little Simz's "NO THANK YOU" is reviewed, emphasizing its blend of hip-hop, psychedelic rock, and pop, along with its themes of resilience and growth. McKinley Dixon's "Magic Alive" is analyzed as a concept album using magic as a metaphor for overcoming trauma. Finally, the episode concludes with a review of Lifeguard's intense post-punk debut, "Ripped and Torn," followed by a lightning round mentioning other albums. The podcast highlights diverse collaborations and the artists' willingness to experiment with sound and themes.

Outlines

00:00:00
New Music Releases: Turnstile, Pulp, Little Simz, and More

This episode reviews several new albums, starting with Turnstile's genre-bending hardcore album "Never Enough," followed by Pulp's return with "Everythings You've Come To Expect," Little Simz's diverse "NO THANK YOU," and McKinley Dixon's experimental "Magic Alive."

00:17:00
Little Simz's "NO THANK YOU" and McKinley Dixon's "Magic Alive" Deep Dive

A detailed look at Little Simz's "NO THANK YOU," focusing on its themes of resilience and growth, and its diverse collaborations. This section also delves into McKinley Dixon's "Magic Alive," exploring its use of magic as a metaphor for healing and overcoming trauma.

00:26:37
McKinley Dixon's "Magic Alive" and Lifeguard's "Ripped and Torn"

Further discussion of McKinley Dixon's "Magic Alive," highlighting "We're Outside, Rejoice" as a potential summer anthem. The review then transitions to Lifeguard's debut album, "Ripped and Torn," described as intense post-punk.

00:34:53
Lightning Round and Conclusion

A brief overview of several other recently released albums, including a Broken Social Scene tribute, Addison Rae's debut, and others. The episode concludes with final thoughts on the reviewed albums.

Keywords

Turnstile


Baltimore-based hardcore punk band; "Never Enough" blends hardcore with pop and electronic music.

Pulp


British alternative rock band; "Everythings You've Come To Expect" reflects on aging and personal growth.

Little Simz


British rapper and singer; "NO THANK YOU" showcases versatility and collaborations.

McKinley Dixon


American rapper and producer; "Magic Alive" uses magic as a metaphor for healing.

Lifeguard


Chicago-based post-punk band; "Ripped and Torn" is characterized by raw energy and genre experimentation.

Hardcore Punk


Aggressive subgenre of punk rock; Turnstile represents a modern evolution.

Britpop


Genre of British rock music popular in the 1990s.

New Music Releases


Review of several recently released albums across various genres.

Album Review


In-depth analysis and critique of new music releases.

Music Podcast


Podcast dedicated to reviewing and discussing new music.

Q&A

  • What are the key themes explored in Little Simz's "NO THANK YOU"?

    Resilience, growth, and navigating personal challenges.

  • How does McKinley Dixon use the concept of "magic" in "Magic Alive"?

    As a metaphor for overcoming trauma and healing.

  • What makes Pulp's return album significant?

    Showcases continued creativity and relevance after a long hiatus.

  • How does Lifeguard's "Ripped and Torn" stand out in post-punk?

    Raw energy, genre experimentation, and emotional depth.

  • What is notable about the collaborations in the albums discussed?

    Wide range of collaborations enhancing thematic depth and impact.

Show Notes

Pulp. Turnstile. Little Simz. It's a packed release week, and NPR Music's Stephen Thompson is here to walk you through it, along with friend of the program Izzi Bavis of WTMD in Baltimore.

Featured albums:

• Turnstile, 'NEVER ENOUGH' (Stream)
• Pulp, 'More' (Stream)
• Little Simz, 'Lotus' (Stream)
• McKinley Dixon, 'Magic, Alive!' (Stream)
• Lifeguard, 'Ripped and Torn' (Stream)

Check out the long list of albums out today and sample more than 50 of them via our New Music Friday playlist on npr.org.

Credits

Host: Stephen Thompson
Guest: Izzi Bavis, WTMD
Producer: Simon Rentner
Editors: Otis Hart and Elle Mannion
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Vice President, Music and Visuals: Keith Jenkins

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New Music Friday: The best albums out June 6

New Music Friday: The best albums out June 6