New Arrivals: Albums Released Today

New Arrivals is the starting point for your New Music Friday. Dig into the week’s freshly delivered stack of new album releases with our playlist highlighting choice cuts from the wide platter of new LPs dropped each week; from big name releases to the albums you’ve been anticipating for months – as well as new favorites from a broad range of genres. Listen to the weekly updated playlist here, and read about some of this week’s biggest albums below.

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Gorillaz
Humanz 

Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett’s virtual band Gorillaz is back with their fifth studio album Humanz, their first since 2011’s The Fall. The album includes the singles “Saturnz Barz” ft. Popcaan, “We Got The Power” ft. Jehnny Beth, “Ascension” ft. Vince Staples, “Andromeda” ft. D.R.A.M., “Let Me Out” ft. Mavis Staples and Pusha T and “The Apprentice” ft. Rag’n’ Bone Man, Zebra Katz and RAY BLK, along with appearances from De La Soul, Danny Brown and Kelela, Grace Jones, Carly Simon, Kali Uchis, Kilo Kish and more. Humanz is out via Parlophone Records and Warner Music Group.

You can listen to Humanz here. For more from the Gorillaz, check out our Gorillaz Essentialz playlist here.

Mary J. Blige
Strength Of A Woman 

Strength Of A Woman is the thirteenth studio album from Grammy Award-winning recording artist Mary J. Blige.  Out by way of Capitol Records, the album follows singles “Thick Of it”, “U + Me” and “Love Yourself” and includes appearances from the likes of Kanye West, Dj Khaled and Kaytranada.

You can listen to Strength Of A Woman here.  Be sure to check out our playlists Down With The Queen: MJB Hip Hop here, and Legends: Mary J. Blige here.

Cashmere Cat
9 

Norwegian DJ, Grammy-nominated record producer and musician Cashmere Cat released his long-awaited debut studio album, 9. The album follows singles “Wild Love,” “Trust Nobody,” “Love Incredible” and “9 (After Coachella). “9 is out via Interscope/Mad Love Records and includes appearances from Ty Dolla $ign, Kehlani and Tory Lanez.

You can listen to 9 here. Also, be sure to check out our Produced By: Cashmere Cat playlist here.

Feist
Pleasure 

Following her Polaris Prize-winning 2011 album, Metals, Canadian indie pop darling Feist is back with her fifth studio album, Pleasure. The album follows the singles “Pleasure” and “Century.” Pleasure is out via Universal Music Canada.

You can listen to Pleasure here. For more Feist, listen to out Feist Essentials playlist here.

Young M.A
Herstory EP

Technically released yesterday, Herstory is the new EP from rising Brooklyn rapper Young M.A. The EP follows singles “Ooouuu” and “Hot Sauce” and is out on Young M.A’s independent label M.A Music/3D.

You can listen to Herstory EP here.

Juliana Hatfield
Pussycat

Pussycat is explosive, politically charged new album from veteran indie singer-songwriter Juliana Hatfield. The album follows her 2016 project with Paul Westerberg entitled Wild Stab. Pussycat is out via American Laundromat.

You can listen to Pussycat here. Be sure to check out our Juliana Hatfield Essentials playlist here.

Sylvan Esso
What Now

Following their successful 2014 self-titled debut, feating the sleeper hit “Coffee,” indie electro-pop duo Sylvan Esso are back with their sophomore LP What Now. The album follows singles “Radio,” “Kick Jump Twist” and “Die Young” and is out via Loma Vista Recordings.

You can listen to What Now here.

Thurston Moore
Rock N Roll Consciousness

Former Sonic Youth frontman Thurston Moore has added yet another studio album to his already expansive catalog, entitled Rock N Roll Consciousness. The 45-minute album features five brand new tracks from Moore, including the singles “Cease Fire” and “Smoke of Dreams.” Rock N Roll Consciousness is out by way of Ecstatic Peace Library.

You can listen to Rock N Roll Consciousness here. Listen to our Legends: Sonic Youth playlist here.

John Mellencamp
Sad Clowns & Hillbillies

Sad Clowns & Hillbillies is the twenty-third studio album from rock and songwriting legend John Mellencamp. The album follows singles “Easy Target” and “Grandview.” Sad Clowns & Hillbillies is out via Republic Records

You can listen to Sad Clowns & Hillbillies here. Be sure to check out our John Mellencamp Legends playlist here.

Trombone Shorty
Parking Lot Symphony 

Parking Lot Symphony is the new album from jazz multi-instrumentalist, actor and producer Trombone Shorty. The album follows singles “Dirty Water” and “No Good Time” and marks Trombone Shorty’s first release on the legendary Blue Note Records.

You can listen to Parking Lot Symphony here.

Wale
Shine

Shine is the fifth studio album from MMG rapper Wale. The album includes the singles “My PYT”, “Running Back” ft. Lil Wayne, “Fashion Week” ft. G-Eazy ,”Fish N Grits” ft. Travis Scott and “Shine Season.” Shine is out via Maybach Music Group and Atlantic Records.

You can listen to Shine here.