New Music Friday: The Top 8 Albums Out On May 29

Ondara (formerly known as JS Ondara). He's latest release, Folk N Roll Vol. 1 – Tales of Isolation, is on our shortlist of the best new albums out on May 29. Ian Flomer/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Ian Flomer/Courtesy of the artist

If there's a common theme to the best new albums out this week, it's joy. We kick things off with the relentlessly celebratory rock of Vistas, a trio from Edinburgh that packs so much heartfelt jubilation into their music, they make the Polyphonic Spree sound like Bill Callahan. Even the stirring new album from Ondara (formerly known as JS Ondara), which documents life under quarantine, finds moments of pure comedy. We've also got a restorative dose of riff rock and jangly pop from our discovery of the week, 2^nd Grade, singer Nicole Atkins' celebration of the Jersey Shore and more. Host Robin Hilton, along with NPR Music's Ann Powers and Stephen Thompson, share their picks for the best new albums out on May 29.

Featured Albums:

1. Vistas — Everything Changes in the End
   Featured Song: "Sucker"
2. Nicole Atkins — Italian Ice
   Featured Song: "Captain"
3. Ondara — Folk N Roll Vol. 1 - Tales of Isolation
   Featured Song: "Mr. Landlord"
4. Jaime Wyatt — Neon Cross
   Featured Song: "Neon Cross"
5. 2nd Grade — Hit to Hit
   Featured Songs: "Baby's First Words" and "Something I'll Have To Remember"
6. Christian Lee Hutson — Beginners
   Featured Song: "Atheist"
7. Teddy Thompson — Heartbreaker Please
   Featured Song: "Why Wait"
8. Jake Blount — Spider Tales
   Featured Song: "Move, Daniel"

Other notable releases for May 29: David Grubbs & Taku Unami — Comet Meta; Deerhoof — Future Teenage Cave Artists; Diana Ross — Supertonic; Diplo — Diplo Presents Thomas Wesley Chapter 1: Snake Oil; Flying Lotus — Flamagra Instrumentals; Hania Rani — Home; Inventions — Continuous Portrait; Kip Moore — Wild World; Lady Gaga — Chromatica; Prince — Up All Nite With Prince.