First Listen : NPR

Christian Scott's new record, Christian aTunde Adjuah, comes out July 31.

Read First Listen: Christian Scott, 'Christian aTunde Adjuah'

First Listen: Christian Scott, 'Christian aTunde Adjuah'

July 22, 2012 – The trumpeter's new double album both acknowledges and extends his jazz inheritance.

The Gaslight Anthem's new album, Handwritten, comes out July 24.

Read First Listen: The Gaslight Anthem, 'Handwritten'

First Listen: The Gaslight Anthem, 'Handwritten'

July 16, 2012 – If there were a drug that made users feel like James Dean, Handwritten would render it redundant.

Passion Pit's new album, Gossamer, comes out July 24.

Read First Listen: Passion Pit, 'Gossamer'

First Listen: Passion Pit, 'Gossamer'

July 15, 2012 – The band follows its 2009 breakthrough, Manners, with a deep, rich album of pure catharsis.

Purity Ring's first album, Shrines, comes out July 24.

Read First Listen: Purity Ring, 'Shrines'

First Listen: Purity Ring, 'Shrines'

July 15, 2012 – Throughout Shrines, the band understands that "timely" and "timeless" needn't be mutually exclusive.

Laetitia Sadier's new album, Silencio, comes out July 24.

Read First Listen: Laetitia Sadier, 'Silencio'

First Listen: Laetitia Sadier, 'Silencio'

July 15, 2012 – The former lead singer of Stereolab returns with an honest-to-goodness protest album.

JEFF the Brotherhood's new album, Hypnotic Nights, comes out July 17.

Read First Listen: JEFF The Brotherhood, 'Hypnotic Nights'

First Listen: JEFF The Brotherhood, 'Hypnotic Nights'

July 8, 2012 – The band's heroically anthemic rock 'n' roll is as polished and sweetly hooky as it is hedonistic.

The Very Best's new album, MTMTMK, comes out July 17.

Read First Listen: The Very Best, 'MTMTMK'

First Listen: The Very Best, 'MTMTMK'

July 8, 2012 – The album's danceable African sounds could fire up any party, and would sound great on any radio.

Baroness' new double album, Yellow and Green, comes out July 17.

Read First Listen: Baroness, 'Yellow And Green'

First Listen: Baroness, 'Yellow And Green'

July 8, 2012 – The double-album is an embarrassment of riff-based riches and melodic surprises from the metal band.

Fang Island's new album, Major, comes out July 24.

Listen First Listen: Fang Island, 'Major'

First Listen: Fang Island, 'Major'

July 8, 2012 – You can sift through the band's music for epiphanies, or turn your brain off and dance in the heat.

Listen Playlist

Delicate Steve's new album, Positive Force, comes out July 10.

Read First Listen: Delicate Steve, 'Positive Force'

First Listen archive

First Listen: Christian Scott, 'Christian aTunde Adjuah'

First Listen: The Gaslight Anthem, 'Handwritten'

First Listen: Passion Pit, 'Gossamer'

First Listen: Purity Ring, 'Shrines'

First Listen: Laetitia Sadier, 'Silencio'

First Listen: JEFF The Brotherhood, 'Hypnotic Nights'

First Listen: The Very Best, 'MTMTMK'

First Listen: Baroness, 'Yellow And Green'

First Listen: Fang Island, 'Major'

First Listen: Delicate Steve, 'Positive Force'

First Listen: Matt Munisteri, 'Still Runnin' Round In The Wilderness'

First Listen: Debo Band, 'Debo Band'

First Listen: Kevin Saunderson, 'KMS 25th Anniversary Classics'

First Listen: Beachwood Sparks, 'The Tarnished Gold'

First Listen: Henry Threadgill Zooid, 'Tomorrow Sunny / The Revelry, Spp'

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