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First Listen Enjoy select, upcoming albums, in their entirety.
First Listen

First Listen

Hear upcoming albums in their entirety

Sunday

First Listen: Villagers, 'Becoming A Jackal'

Dublin native Conor O'Brien writes and records under the name Villagers. Richard Gilligan hide caption

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Richard Gilligan

First Listen: Villagers, 'Becoming A Jackal'

Listen to Becoming a Jackal, the debut album by the Irish folk-rock band Villagers, and it's hard to believe it's the work of just one guy. Young Conor O'Brien, who says he's been "terrified of bands" ever since his previous group The Immediate broke up, plays nearly everything on this incredibly expansive record. Becoming a Jackal will be available here in its entirety until its release on June 8.

First Listen: Alex Cuba, 'Alex Cuba'

Less than a year after Agua de Pozo, Caribbean musician Alex Cuba is releasing a new, self-titled album. courtesy of the artist hide caption

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courtesy of the artist

First Listen: Alex Cuba, 'Alex Cuba'

Less than a year after Agua de Pozo, Caribbean musician Alex Cuba is releasing a new, self-titled album. This record finds Cuba sounding less moody than usual, and appropriately surrounded by funky and lighthearted music. Hear Alex Cuba in its entirety until its release on June 8.

Sunday

First Listen: Ratatat, 'LP4'

Ratatat's new album LP4 follows up on themes from the Brooklyn electronic rock duo's previous album. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

First Listen: Ratatat, 'LP4'

LP4 follows up on themes from the Brooklyn electronic rock duo's previous album, but it's not just more of the same. Evan Mast and Mike Stroud have meticulously reworked these songs in the two years since they were recorded; along the way, they've incorporated a full string section and a slew of other instruments. Hear LP4 in its entirety until its release on June 8.

First Listen: Paul Weller, 'Wake Up The Nation'

Paul Weller. Dean Chalkley hide caption

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Dean Chalkley

First Listen: Paul Weller, 'Wake Up The Nation'

When The Jam was making pop-infused music in the heyday of punk, Paul Weller was a vital singer and songwriter. But in the years since, fans would be forgiven for losing interest, as his work in Style Council made way for a string of often spotty solo records. But Weller's new one, Wake Up the Nation, is a real sleeper -- and, in the end, a joy to hear. The album will stream here in its entirety until its release on June 1.

Sunday

Monday

Sunday

First Listen: The Claudia Quintet, 'Royal Toast'

The expanded edition of the Claudia Quintet, left to right: Matt Moran, Gary Versace, Ted Reichman, Chris Speed, Drew Gress, John Hollenbeck. Steven Gunther hide caption

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Steven Gunther

First Listen: The Claudia Quintet, 'Royal Toast'

There are no people named Claudia in the Claudia Quintet, but there is a fantastic drummer and composer named John Hollenbeck. His tunes crib from anywhere between minimalism and math-rock, while the band transforms it all into a sort of throbbing, cinematic and wacky jazz.

Sunday

First Listen: The Dead Weather, 'Sea Of Cowards'

Sea of Cowards is The Dead Weather's second album. Courtesy of artist hide caption

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Courtesy of artist

First Listen: The Dead Weather, 'Sea Of Cowards'

The sophomore album from Jack White's supergroup is no sterile product of endless studio tinkering: At 35 minutes, it's a blistering and compact slab of thunderous, bluesy hard rock. Born out of aggression more than invention, it's an appropriately barbed and consistently sturdy addition to White's rapidly expanding canon. Hear Sea of Cowards in its entirety for the week leading up to its May 11 release.

First Listen: The National, 'High Violet'

The National. courtesy of the artist hide caption

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First Listen: The National, 'High Violet'

High Violet, The National's fifth album, roughs up the glimmering beauty of its divine 2007 predecessor, Boxer. But the new record still achieves the balance that's made the band so widely beloved: It locates the sweet spot between majesty and mopery, catharsis and wallowing, soaring grace and wounded confessionals. Hear High Violet in its entirety until its release on May 11.