NPR
20 March 2026
BTS. Alex Isley. Dubstep-infused hyperpop from underscores. NPR Music's Hazel Cills chats with Francesca Harding of member station KCRW in Los Angeles about their favorite albums out Friday, March 20. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer personal picks in our lightning round. The Starting 5 (00:00) Introduction & BTS, 'ARIRANG'(02:28) Alex Isley, 'When The City Sleeps'(07:52) underscores, 'U'(15:38) ZENA, 'TEMESGEN'(20:39) Grace Ives, 'Girlfriend'(26:16) Suitor, 'Saw You Out With The Weeds' (32:23) The Lightning Round - Ali & Charif Megarbane, 'Tirakat'- Naomi Scott, 'F.I.G.'- Samara Cyn, 'Detour' EP- Immanuel Wilkins Quartet, 'Live at the Village Vanguard, Vol.1'- Luke Combs, 'The Way I Am' Sample the albums via our New Music Friday playlist and see our Long List of notable releases on NPR.org Credits:Host: Hazel CillsGuest: Francesca Harding, KCRWAudio Producer: Noah CaldwellDigital Producer: Dora LeviteEditors: Otis Hart, Elle MannionExecutive Producer: Suraya MohamedSpecial thanks to Rodney Carmichael, Ann Powers and Stephen Thompson See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy
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