Shabazz Palaces

Chronicles of a Diamond, the long-awaited sophomore full-length from Black Pumas, is one of NPR Music's picks for the best albums out on Oct. 27. Jody Domingue/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Once part of Digable Planets, Ishmael Butler continues to be a hip-hop innovator with Shabazz Palaces. He stays connected to new music through his son Jazz, who records as Lil Tracy. Patrick O'Brien Smith/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Fiona Apple. Her long-awaited — and monumental — new album, Fetch the Bolt Cutters, tops our shortlist of the best releases out on April 17. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Marty Stuart's "Time Don't Wait" is a favorite at The Current in St. Paul, Minn. Alysse Gafkjen/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Clockwise from upper left: Weezer, Sufjan Stevens, Lia Ices, Lucinda Williams, Shabazz Palaces Courtesy of the artists hide caption

Shabazz Palaces' new album, Lese Majesty, comes out July 29. Patrick O'Brien-Smith/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Shabazz Palaces' new record, Lese Majesty, comes out July 29. Patrick O'Brien-Smith/Courtesy of the artist hide caption