First Listen : NPR

First Listen: Gillian Welch, 'The Harrow And The Harvest'

The Harrow and the Harvest, out June 28, is the first new album from Gillian Welch and David Rawlings since 2003. Mark Seliger/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Mark Seliger/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen: Gillian Welch, 'The Harrow And The Harvest'

Folk Alley

June 26, 2011 • After a long period of intense creative frustration, Welch and creative partner David Rawlings return with their first album in Welch's name since 2003. Hear The Harrow and the Harvest in its entirety.

First Listen: Washed Out, 'Within And Without'

Within and Without, Ernest Greene's first full-length album as Washed Out, comes out July 12. Will Govus/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Will Govus/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen: Washed Out, 'Within And Without'

June 26, 2011 • Ernest Greene sounds ready for the stage on his first full-length album as Washed Out, which features live instruments and arrangements clearly designed for big venues. Hear Within and Without in full.

First Listen: Samiyam, 'Sam Baker's Album'

Sam Baker's Album, the second full-length record from enigmatic beatmaker Samiyam, comes out July 5. Theo Jemison hide caption

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Theo Jemison

First Listen: Samiyam, 'Sam Baker's Album'

June 26, 2011 • The second full-length record from the Los Angeles beatmaker, Sam Baker's Album is swamped with grated synths and filthy basslines. Stream it here in its entirety.

Rave On Buddy Holly, a tribute to the rock 'n' roll pioneer, features Holly covers by Paul McCartney, The Black Keys, Patti Smith and many more. The album comes out June 28. Hulton Archive/Getty Images hide caption

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Hulton Archive/Getty Images

First Listen: 'Rave On Buddy Holly'

June 19, 2011 • Rave On Buddy Holly does more than just throw big names against the wall over the course of a generous 19 tracks. It also adds up to an impressively diverse collection of takes on the innocence of another era.

First Listen: Shabazz Palaces, 'Black Up'

Ishmael Butler, alumnus of Digable Planets and leader of Shabazz Palaces. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

First Listen: Shabazz Palaces, 'Black Up'

June 19, 2011 • The latest album from Ishmael "Butterfly" Butler, an alumnus of the '90s jazz-rap crew Digable Planets, is as immersive as it is odd. Hear it in its entirety until its release.

Clockwise from top left: Aloe Blacc, Beirut, José González, Bebel Gilberto. Courtesy of the artists hide caption

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Courtesy of the artists

First Listen: 'Red Hot + Rio 2'

June 19, 2011 • The compilation is a star-studded tribute to Brazilian tropicalia, featuring contributions from Caetano Veloso, Beck, Seu Jorge, Beirut, Bebel Gilberto, Jose Gonzalez, John Legend and many more. Hear the two-disc set in its entirety.

Jennifer Juniper Stratford

First Listen: John Maus, 'We Must Become The Pitiless Censors Of Ourselves'

June 19, 2011 • The brainy electronic composer is back with an album of manic, reverb-heavy synth-pop. Hear it in its entirety until its release.

First Listen: Jill Scott, 'The Light Of The Sun'

Jill Scott's new album, The Light of the Sun, comes out June 21. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

First Listen: Jill Scott, 'The Light Of The Sun'

June 12, 2011 • It's not as if she ever really had a frivolous phase, but on The Light of the Sun, Scott sounds especially composed. She's powerful, and she's fighting the good fight.

YACHT's new album, Shangri-La, comes out June 21. Alin Dragulin hide caption

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Alin Dragulin

First Listen: YACHT, 'Shangri-La'

KCRW

June 12, 2011 • The synth-pop duo's new album is filled with irresistible hooks and beat-heavy laptop wizardry. Stream the whole thing here until its release.

First Listen: Nico Muhly, 'Seeing Is Believing'

Nico Muhly's new album, Seeing Is Believing, comes out June 21. Samantha West/Bedroom Community Records hide caption

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Samantha West/Bedroom Community Records

First Listen: Nico Muhly, 'Seeing Is Believing'

Q2

June 12, 2011 • On his new album Seeing Is Believing, young composer Nico Muhly proves to be an obsessive student of music history. But he also possesses his own unique, and uniquely complicated, voice.

First Listen: Stefon Harris, David Sanchez And Christian Scott, 'Ninety Miles'

Stefon Harris, David Sanchez and Christian Scott's collaborative album, Ninety Miles, comes out June 21. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist