Best new albums out today: Lorde, Bruce Springsteen, Kevin Abstract : All Songs Considered : NPR

Published 11 hours ago• 3 minute read

Laura Stevenson is your favorite songwriter's favorite songwriter, so says New Music Friday host Stephen Thompson. Rachel Brennecke/Rough Trade Records hide caption

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Rachel Brennecke/Rough Trade Records

It's Friday, and if you're a Bruce Springsteen fan, it probably feels like Christmas morning. The Boss released a 7-disc (or 9-LP) box set today documenting unreleased tracks recorded from 1983 to 2018, titled Tracks II: The Lost Albums. We've published a guide to the 83 songs that you might enjoy before tapping play.

If you're here for new new music, the most anticipated album this week is Lorde's fourth studio effort, Virgin. While it's not among our favorite records making their debut today, NPR Music's Hazel Cills calls it a humanizing album by a pop star who's just now realizing she doesn't have it all figured out. Read her review of Virgin here.

As for the records we really loved this week, Wonway Posibul from NPR station KALW in the Bay Area joined NPR Music's own Stephen Thompson to talk about just that. They listened to dozens of new releases before selecting five to discuss — because a little backstory goes a long way.

Listen to the show beginning at 3 a.m. ET and scroll down to see our long list of albums out June 27.

Matthew Herbert and Momoko Gill. Manuel Vazquez/Strut hide caption

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Manuel Vazquez/Strut

Our hosts share the backstories and best songs from the following albums:

💿 , Late Great

💿 , Boleros Psicodélicos II

💿 , Scorpio

💿 , Flowers

💿 , Clay

New Music Friday is a feature of NPR's All Songs Considered podcast. Hear the discussion on the NPR App, Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.