NPR
22 May 2026
Aja Monet. Jack Antonoff's Bleachers. Radiohead's Ed O'Brien. Guest host Ann Powers chats with Aurora McGuckin of MVY Radio in Massachusetts about their favorite albums out Friday, May 22. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer their personal picks in the lightning round. The Starting 5 (00:00) Bleachers, 'everyone for ten minutes'(06:55) JPEGMAFIA, 'EXPERIMENTAL RAP'(12:49) Ed O'Brien, 'Blue Morpho'(19:01) aja monet, 'the color of rain'(25:19) Lowertown, 'Ugly Duckling Union' (30:35) The Lightning Round - Alela Diane, 'Who's Keeping Time?'- Mexican Institute of Sound & Meridian Brothers, 'Ruido Tovar'- Balming Tiger, 'Gongbu'- Bill Orcutt & Mabe Fratti, 'Almost Waking'- Traumprinz, 'Life' Sample the albums via our New Music Friday playlist and see our Long List of notable releases on NPR.org. Credits:Host: Ann PowersGuest: Aurora McGuckin, MVY RadioAudio Producer: Noah CaldwellDigital Producer: Dora LeviteEditors: Otis Hart, Elle MannionExecutive Producer: Suraya MohamedSpecial thanks to Lars Gotrich and Robin Hilton 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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