New Music Friday: The best releases out on June 9 : All Songs Considered : NPR

By

Hazel Cills

,

LaTesha Harris

,

Sheldon Pearce

,

Robin Hilton

Amaarae's new album Fountain Baby tops our shortlist of the best new albums out on June 9. Josh Croll/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

When Amaarae began work on her latest project, Fountain Baby, she knew she wanted it to defy labels. On one hand, it's defiantly pop, but it's persistently kaleidoscopic, built on a consistently surprising world of sound that draws from alternative Afrobeats to punk rock, R&B, bubblegum pop and more. As NPR Music editor Sheldon Pearce says on this week's show, "Amaarae has felt like the future for a while now and the future is here."

We've also got new music this week from Janelle Monáe, who sheds her android personae for her most honest and direct album to date, a bold new sound for Keaton Henson, King Krule, Jenny Lewis and more. NPR Music editor Hazel Cills joins contributor LaTesha Harris, Sheldon Pearce and host Robin Hilton as they share their picks for the best releases out on June 9.