Meshell Ndegeocello, an innovative bassist, discusses her new album, "No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin," celebrating Baldwin's centennial with a blend of musical, political, and historical themes. She reflects on her artistic evolution and the fusion of genres throughout her career. Meanwhile, the hosts highlight exciting new releases from artists like Khalid and Maren Morris, emphasizing their unique sounds and storytelling capabilities. The podcast dives into the emotional depth in music, showcasing how it serves as a vehicle for personal and societal reflection.

The best releases out this week include Killer Mike's first solo album in more than a decade, the majestic return of Iceland's Sigur Rós, the legendary Bettye LaVette, Asake and more.Featured Albums:1. Bettye LaVette — LaVette!Featured Songs: "Mess About It (feat. Ray Parker & Jon Batiste)," "Hard to Be a Human," "Plan B"2. Killer Mike — MichaelFeatured Songs: "Two Days (feat. Ty Dolla $ign)," "Motherless," "Down By Law (feat. Cee-Lo Green)," "Scientists & Engineers (feat. Andre 3000, Future & Eryn Allen Kane)," "Something for the Junkies (feat. Fabo & Minister Louis Farrakhan)"3. Sigur Rós — ÁTTAFeatured Songs: "Klettur," "Skel," "Mór"4. Asake — Work Of ArtFeatured Songs: "2:30," "Lonely at the Top," "What's Up My G"5. Meshell Ndegeocello — The Omnichord Real BookFeatured Songs: "Georgia Ave. (feat. Josh Johnson)," "Good Good (feat. Jade Hicks & Josh Johnson)," "Call the Tune" Lightning Round: Ambré — who's loving you? Hand Habits — Sugar the BruiseMemorrhage — MemorrhageWild Up — Julius Eastman Vol. 3: If You're So Smart, Why Aren't You Rich?Other notable releases for June 16:Balmorhea — Pendant WorldBen Howard — Is It?Boris & Uniform — Bright New DiseaseDeer Tick — Emotional ContractsKing Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard — PetroDragonic Apocalypse; or, Dawn of Eternal Night: An Annihilation of Planet Earth and the Beginning of Merciless DamnationKool Keith — Black Elvis 2Queens of the Stone Age — In Times New RomanSon Volt — Day of the DougYusuf / Cat Stevens — King of a LandLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Meshell Ndegeocello, a genre-defying bass player and songwriter, joins acclaimed producer Don Was and drummer Abe Rounds for a deep dive into creativity and collaboration. They discuss Meshell's latest albums, exploring their roots in Black literature and the vibrant culture of D.C. The trio shares insights on the significance of solitude in fostering creativity and the emotional bonds forged in music. Their conversation offers a poignant look at navigating the music industry and the transformative power of collaboration.