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First Listen

Enjoy previews of select, upcoming albums, in their entirety.

Recent First Listen

Mount Eerie's new album, Clear Moon, comes out May 22.

May 13, 2012 A hypnotic album, Clear Moon finds common ground in experimental folk and ambient black metal.

ListenPlaylist

Kimbra.

May 13, 2012 The New Zealander's debut is a booming and spangly concoction, as smartly crafted as it is sleek.

ListenPlaylist

Beach House's new album, Bloom, comes out May 15.

May 6, 2012 Bloom highlights the band's subtle evolution through precise refinements to its dreamy pop songs.

Saint Vitus unleashes the slow-mo headbang of a thousand metalheads on its first album in 17 years. Lillie: F-65 comes out May 22.

May 13, 2012 These lifers unleash the slow-mo headbang of a thousand metalheads on their first album in 17 years.

ListenPlaylist

Best Coast's new album, The Only Place, comes out May 15.

May 6, 2012 The Only Place doesn't just advance the band's irresistible garage-pop formula; it perfects it.

Jeremy Denk's new album, Ligeti/Beethoven, comes out May 15.

May 6, 2012 Hear a brilliant new solo recording from a singular pianist who reaches for infinity — and beyond.

Exitmusic's new album, Passage, comes out May 22.

May 6, 2012 Passage isn't the year's most uplifting record, but it is one of the most memorable and absorbing.

ListenPlaylist

Sara Watkins' new album, Sun Midnight Sun, comes out May 8.

April 29, 2012 The former Nickel Creek member is smart enough to spike her accessible roots music with surprises.

All Songs Considered

Hosts Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton begin their quest to pin down the most universally loved albums.

Can't We All Just Get Along? Our Search For The Albums Everyone Loves

Hosts Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton begin their quest to pin down the most universally loved albums.

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Ten albums for newbies, the hated Cabaret Card and composer/arranger Gil Evans' centennial.

Around The Jazz Internet: May 18, 2012

Ten albums for newbies, the hated Cabaret Card and composer/arranger Gil Evans' centennial.

Fischer-Dieskau's passing, a Viennese fraudster and a brawl on a Chinese train.

Around The Classical Internet: May 18, 2012

Fischer-Dieskau's passing, a Viennese fraudster and a brawl on a Chinese train.

A set of Buddy Holly recordings scratched an itch for McPherson, as a kid raised on a cattle ranch.

JD McPherson: When A Punk Goes Vintage

A set of Buddy Holly recordings scratched an itch for McPherson, as a kid raised on a cattle ranch.

The jazz master Toots Thielemans turned 90 this year. In Brussels, the celebration is on.

The Harmonica-Playing Baron Of Belgium

The jazz master Toots Thielemans turned 90 this year. In Brussels, the celebration is on.

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