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Joan Armatrading

New Music Friday: 6 Albums You Need To Hear Today

BTS's Love Yourself: Tear, one of the most anticipated albums of 2018, is out today. Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic hide caption

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Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

All Songs Considered

New Music Friday: 6 Albums You Need To Hear Today

Notable May 18 releases include Courtney Barnett's raging rock, the K-pop band BTS, rapper Nick Grant and the psych-folk of Ray LaMontagne.

New Music Friday: 6 Albums You Need To Hear Today

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Joan Armatrading's Confident, Heatbreaking 'Walk Under Ladders'

On Walk Under Ladders, Joan Armatrading makes a leap to a more pop sound without losing the distinct mix of styles of her previous work. Graham Wood/Getty Images hide caption

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Graham Wood/Getty Images

Review

The 150 Greatest Albums Made By Women

Joan Armatrading's Confident, Heatbreaking 'Walk Under Ladders'

Melissa Etheridge once described the record as "the best produced huge album that never was." On it, Armatrading masters a pop sensibility while retaining the qualities that give her songs depth.

Joan Armatrading: A 'Charming Life,' Stripped Bare

Joan Armatrading launched her career with the 1976 hit "Love and Affection." Joel Anderson hide caption

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Joel Anderson

Music Interviews

Joan Armatrading: A 'Charming Life,' Stripped Bare

In a career spanning more than 40 years, the singer-songwriter has delved into genres such as pop, rock, folk, jazz and reggae. Her latest album leans toward alt-rock and features Armatrading playing all the instruments on the album, aside from percussion. Hear her play songs from This Charming Life live in NPR's Studio 4A.

Joan Armatrading: A 'Charming Life,' Stripped Bare

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Music Interviews

Joan Armatrading on Getting 'Into the Blues'

Armatrading's career spans nearly 35 years, but she's rarely stayed in the same genre for long. The singer has released 18 albums spanning folk, pop, rock, jazz and beyond, often within a single disc. Her new Into the Blues finds her delving into the blues.

Joan Armatrading on Getting 'Into the Blues'

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