All Songs Considered

Singer and rapper Jesse Markin. His new album, Noir, is on our shortlist for the best releases out on June 11. Tero Ahonen/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Clockwise from upper left corner: Laura Stevenson, The Narcotix, Maddie Jay, Naia Izumi Courtesy of the artists hide caption

Rostam. His second solo full-length, Changepobia, is on our shortlist of the best albums out on June 4. Olivia Bee/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Top left, clockwise: Sinéad Harnett, Olivia Rodrigo, The Zolas, Sharon Van Etten & Angel Olsen, Bill Laurance, Sound Prints. Courtesy of the artists hide caption

Mereba's new EP, Azeb, is out now. Breyona Holt/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

From top left, clockwise: Sharon Van Etten & Angel Olsen, Mdou Moctar, Sunny Jain, Angélique Kidjo, Aerial East, Saint Sister. Courtesy of the artists hide caption

Allison Russell's new album is called Outside Child. Francesca Cepero/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

From top left, clockwise: Sleater-Kinney, Green-House, Briars of North America, Billie Marten, Lowland Hum, Sleepersound. Courtesy of the artists hide caption

Singer Jorja Smith. Her latest release, Be Right Back, is on our shortlist of the best albums out on May 14. Bardha Krasniqi/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Tiny Desk Contest Family Hour NPR hide caption

Left: LUMP; Middle top: Torres; Top right: Rodrigo Amarante; Bottom: Caveman Courtesy of the artists hide caption

Dawn Richard takes a selfie with her mom Debbie after NPR Music's Listening Party for Second Line. Courtesy of Dawn Richard hide caption

The Essex singer Dodie. Her debut full-length, Build A Problem, tops our shortlist of the best new albums out on May 7. Parri Thomas/Courtesy of the artist hide caption