New Music Friday: The best albums you missed from December
Jan 3, 2025
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Nate Chinen, a music critic from WRTI in Philadelphia, joins the discussion on the best albums released in December. They dive into ROSÉ's catchy new collaboration with Bruno Mars and explore the thematic depth of Lauren Mayberry's solo work. Chinen highlights the enduring impact of The Innocence Mission's latest album while reminiscing about the emotional reunion of supergroup MTB. They also celebrate new sounds in R&B, gospel, and soul, encouraging listeners to discover the vibrant music landscape.
The podcast introduces a new format featuring guest experts to enrich discussions on significant recent album releases across the music scene.
SZA's SOS Deluxe garners attention for its additional tracks and highlights her evolving artistry and ongoing influence in the industry.
Deep dives
New Format for New Music Fridays
The podcast introduces a fresh format for New Music Fridays, which will now include a guest from NPR's network of public radio stations to provide insights on the week's top albums. This change aims to showcase the expertise of those deeply embedded in the music scene across the country. The hosts express enthusiasm for this collaborative approach, emphasizing that guests will enhance the program with diverse perspectives on new releases. Streaming links to albums discussed will be accessible in the episode notes, enhancing listener engagement with the music featured.
SZA's SOS Deluxe Edition Impact
SZA's deluxe edition of her album SOS, titled SOS Deluxe, recently achieved the number one spot on the Billboard albums chart, showcasing her continued relevance in the music industry. The deluxe edition includes 15 new tracks, further expanding on the themes and styles presented in the original album. SZA has hinted at additional forthcoming tracks, heightening anticipation among fans eager for more content. This discussion underscores her prolific output and the ongoing evolution of her artistry, keeping listeners engaged and looking forward to what comes next.
Exploring Rosé's Solo Album
The new album Rosie by Rosé, a member of the K-pop group Blackpink, showcases her versatility as a solo artist while incorporating influences from pop powerhouses like Taylor Swift. The track Apaté features catchy hooks and playful cultural references that resonate universally, making it a radio hit. Despite the album's polished production, there's a sense of identity struggle, with certain tracks mirroring Taylor Swift's style, leading to discussions about the evolution of Rosé's artistic voice. The album's reception highlights Rosé's potential in the solo artist landscape, setting the stage for further exploration of her musical identity.
There's been some great music released since the last New Music Friday episode in late November. So, on this slow January release day, NPR Music's Stephen Thompson and WRTI's Nate Chinen catch you up on the best albums we heard in December in between "All I Want For Christmas Is You" and "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer."
Visit npr.org/music to see the long list of albums you might have missed in December, and stream our New Music Friday playlist.
CREDITS:
Host: Stephen Thompson, NPR Music Guest: Nate Chinen, WRTI Producer: Simon Rentner Editor: Otis Hart Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed Vice President, Music and Visuals: Keith Jenkins