New Music Friday: The Top 8 Albums Out On Jan. 15

Zayn. His latest solo release, Nobody's Listening, is on our shortlist for the best new albums out on Jan. 15. Nabil/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Nabil/Courtesy of the artist

Our 2021 debut episode of New Music Friday opens with the "bratty feminist" pop of Ashnikko, a singer whose ridiculously catchy, debut mixtape Demidevil is as menacing as it is comically absurd. We've also got the third and most personal solo album to date from former One Direction singer Zayn, the newly formed, Israeli jazz quartet Apifera, breezy, Southern California comfort from Pearl Charles and more. NPR Music contributors Christina Lee and John Morrison join NPR's Lars Gotrich, Ann Powers and Robin Hilton as they share their picks for the best new albums out on Jan. 15.

Featured Albums:

1. Ashnikko — Demidevil
   Featured Song: "Toxic"
2. Zayn — Nobody's Listening
   Featured Song: "Outside"
3. Sexual Harrassment — I Need A Freak
   Featured Song: "I Need A Freak"
4. Kate Davis — Strange Boy
   Featured Song: "I'll Do Anything But Break Dance For Ya, Darling"
5. Pom Poko — Cheater
   Featured Song: "Like A Lady"
6. Apifera — Overstand
   Featured Song: "Overstand"
7. Midnight Sister — Painting the Roses
   Featured Song: "Dearly Departed"
8. Pearl Charles — Magic Mirror
   Featured Song: "Take Your Time"

Other notable releases for Jan. 15: Azure Ray — Azure Ray; Beach Bunny — Blame Game; Buck Meek — Two Saviors; Danielle Durack — No Place; Frank Iero and the Future Violents — Heaven is a Place, This is a Place; Jody Lo — I Will Not Break the Scale; Matthew Sweet — Catspaw; Samia — The Baby Reimagined; Shame — Drunk Tank Pink; You Me At Six — Suckapunch.