First Listen : NPR

First Listen: 'When I Reach That Heavenly Shore: Unearthly Black Gospel 1926-1936'

African-Americans on their way to church. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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First Listen: 'When I Reach That Heavenly Shore: Unearthly Black Gospel 1926-1936'

November 30, 2014 • They might seem dusty, almost mystical or supernatural, but the vibrant songs on this three-disc set come from a golden age of gospel that set the path for rock 'n' roll.

When I Reach That Heavenly Shore: Unearthly Black Gospel 1926-1936

Audio for First Listens is no longer available after the album is released.

PRhyme is Royce Da 5'9" (left) and DJ Premier. Courtesy of The Chamber Group hide caption

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Courtesy of The Chamber Group

First Listen: PRhyme, 'PRhyme'

November 30, 2014 • The collaborative project made by rapper Royce Da 5' 9" and producer DJ Premier is in actual fact a hardcore rap fan's dream come true.

PRhyme

Audio for First Listens is no longer available after the album is released.

First Listen: Ghostface Killah, '36 Seasons'

Ghostface Killah's new album, 36 Seasons, comes out Dec. 9. Stan Oh/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Stan Oh/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen: Ghostface Killah, '36 Seasons'

November 30, 2014 • A superstar cast made a real life love story — disguised as an action movie — just because.

36 Seasons

Audio for First Listens is no longer available after the album is released.

She & Him's new album, Classics, comes out Dec. 2. Autumn De Wilde/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Autumn De Wilde/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen: She & Him, 'Classics'

November 23, 2014 • Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward cover pop standards with the timeless impeccability for which they're known. Once again, Ward hovers mostly in the background, leaving Deschanel to steal the playful show.

Classics

Audio for First Listens is no longer available after the album is released.

First Listen: Your Old Droog, 'Your Old Droog'

Your Old Droog's self-titled new album comes out Nov. 25. Seher Sikandar/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Seher Sikandar/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen: Your Old Droog, 'Your Old Droog'

November 16, 2014 • If this is the first time you're hearing of somebody called Your Old Droog, don't even trip.

Your Old Droog

Audio for First Listens is no longer available after the album is released.

First Listen: Two Inch Astronaut, 'Foulbrood'

Two Inch Astronaut's new album, Foulbrood, comes out Nov. 25. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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First Listen: Two Inch Astronaut, 'Foulbrood'

November 16, 2014 • On its second album, the D.C.-area duo borrows heavily from the legacy of Dischord Records — at times recalling Fugazi, Smart Went Crazy and Shudder To Think — while still sounding fresh and vital.

Foulbrood

Audio for First Listens is no longer available after the album is released.

First Listen: Flake Music, 'When You Land Here, It's Time To Return'

A remixed, remastered reissue of When You Land Here, It's Time to Return, the 1997 debut album by Flake Music, comes out Nov. 25. Singer James Mercer would later become famous for his work in The Shins and Broken Bells. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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First Listen: Flake Music, 'When You Land Here, It's Time To Return'

November 16, 2014 • Before James Mercer became famous in The Shins, he sang in a like-minded band called Flake Music. Its newly remixed, remastered and reissued 1997 debut contains many ideas he would later revisit.

When You Land Here, It's Time To Return

Audio for First Listens is no longer available after an album is released.

First Listen: Andy Stott, 'Faith In Strangers'

Andy Stott's new album, Faith In Strangers, comes out Nov. 18. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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First Listen: Andy Stott, 'Faith In Strangers'

November 9, 2014 • The Manchester electronic producer alternates between ethereal beauty and viscous sludge, and with vocal assistance from Alison Skidmore, glints of light keep poking through the darkness.

Faith In Strangers

Audio for First Listens is no longer available after the album is released.

Bryan Ferry's new album, Avonmore, comes out Nov. 17. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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First Listen: Bryan Ferry, 'Avonmore'

November 9, 2014 • The Roxy Music singer channels his classic work while still sounding fresh. Ferry's sound remains full, clear and direct, with intricate layers of instruments shifting in and out of focus.

Avonmore

Audio for First Listens is no longer available after the album is released.

First Listen: Robert Wyatt, 'Different Every Time'

Robert Wyatt's new album, Different Every Time, comes out Nov. 18. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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First Listen: Robert Wyatt, 'Different Every Time'

November 9, 2014 • A double-length set provides an ambitious introduction to the prog-rock legend. Selections include songs from Wyatt's bands Soft Machine and Matching Mole, solo work and unlikely collaborations.

First Listen: Mr. Gnome, 'The Heart Of A Dark Star'

Mr. Gnome's new album, The Heart Of A Dark Star, comes out Nov. 18. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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First Listen: Mr. Gnome, 'The Heart Of A Dark Star'

November 9, 2014 • Whether its songs are bleak and primal, grandiose or seductively dreamy, the Cleveland duo delights in searching for the unexpected.

The Heart Of A Dark Star

Audio for First Listens is no longer available after the album is released.

Thompson is, among others, folk musicians Richard and Linda Thompson and their son Teddy. Thompson's new album, Family, comes out Nov. 18. Linda Thompson/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Linda Thompson/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen: Thompson, 'Family'

November 9, 2014 • Thompson gathers many branches of a formidable family tree that includes Richard, Linda, Teddy, Kami and several musicians not named Thompson.

Family

Audio for First Listens is no longer available after the album is released.

First Listen: Big K.R.I.T., 'Cadillactica'

Big K.R.I.T.'s new album, Cadillactica, comes out Nov. 11. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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First Listen: Big K.R.I.T., 'Cadillactica'

November 2, 2014 • K.R.I.T. raps about what many rappers probably want to discuss (spirituality, discrimination, insecurity) but are afraid to. This strain of authenticity has cemented his place in the hearts of fans.

Cadillactica

Audio for First Listens is no longer available after the album is released.

The Bedhead 1992-1998 box set — which includes re-issues of the band's three studio albums and a disc of singles, EPs, and rarities — comes out Nov. 11. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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First Listen: Bedhead, '1992-1998'

November 2, 2014 • A box set collects nearly all the recordings by the 1990s indie rock band that perfected the art of holding back. Bedhead's minimal, whispered songs made boring beautiful.

Hookworms' new album, The Hum, comes out Nov. 11. Steve Gullick/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Steve Gullick/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen: Hookworms, 'The Hum'

November 2, 2014 • On its second album, the Leeds band is beholden to a motorik beat and the pulse it leaves behind. But Hookworms' members also explore the energy and chaos that such a solid anchor can provide.

The Hum

Audio for First Listens is no longer available after the album is released.

First Listen

Sunday November 30, 2014

First Listen: 'When I Reach That Heavenly Shore: Unearthly Black Gospel 1926-1936'

When I Reach That Heavenly Shore: Unearthly Black Gospel 1926-1936

First Listen: PRhyme, 'PRhyme'

PRhyme

First Listen: Ghostface Killah, '36 Seasons'

36 Seasons

Sunday November 23, 2014

First Listen: She & Him, 'Classics'

Classics

Sunday November 16, 2014

First Listen: Your Old Droog, 'Your Old Droog'

Your Old Droog

First Listen: Two Inch Astronaut, 'Foulbrood'

Foulbrood

First Listen: Flake Music, 'When You Land Here, It's Time To Return'

When You Land Here, It's Time To Return

Sunday November 9, 2014

First Listen: Andy Stott, 'Faith In Strangers'

Faith In Strangers

First Listen: Bryan Ferry, 'Avonmore'

Avonmore

First Listen: Robert Wyatt, 'Different Every Time'

First Listen: Mr. Gnome, 'The Heart Of A Dark Star'

The Heart Of A Dark Star

First Listen: Thompson, 'Family'

Family

Sunday November 2, 2014

First Listen: Big K.R.I.T., 'Cadillactica'

Cadillactica

First Listen: Bedhead, '1992-1998'

First Listen: Hookworms, 'The Hum'

The Hum