At least it’s a good week for new albums, right? Janelle Monae‘s staggering creativity and limitless energy is on full display on her long-awaited fourth album, The Age of Pleasure. Jason Isbell takes the reins as producer of the 400 Unit’s eighth album, Weathervanes, giving each song room to roam. On Joy’all, her fifth solo LP, Jenny Lewis spends one more day up in the canyon (and reflects on growing older in a world full of weirdos). Christine and the Queens continues his transformation into a tender balladeer on the intimate PARANOÏA, ANGELS, TRUE LOVE.

Archy Marshall’s fourth album as King Krule, Space Heavy, is a collection of cosmic drone-pop from the breakout singer-guitarist. Following last year’s collab with Katie Crutchfield as Plains, Jess Williamson returns to the solo spotlight with her charming fifth album, Time Ain’t Accidental. For Careful of Your Keepers, her sixth release as This is the Kit, Kate Stables teamed with Super Furry Animals’ Gruff Rhys to give her art-folk compositions a psychedelic edge. Kitchen-sink rockers Squid deliver O Monolith, expanding on the already sprawling sound of their 2021 debut.

PRESS PLAY on these new releases below. Listen for spotlights on new records like these (and more) every Friday on the XPN Morning Show and Indie Rock Hit Parade.

Janelle MonaeThe Age of Pleasure
CHECK OUT: “Float (feat. Seun Kuti & Egypy 80)” “Lipstick Lover”

Jason Isbell and the 400 UnitWeathervanes
CHECK OUT: “Death Wish” “Middle of the Morning”

Jenny LewisJoy’all
CHECK OUT: “Psychos” “Giddyup”

Christine and the QueensPARANOÏA, ANGELS, TRUE LOVE
CHECK OUT: “To be honest” “A day in the water”

King KruleSpace Heavy
CHECK OUT: “Seaforth” “Flimsier”

Jess WilliamsonTime Ain’t Accidental
CHECK OUT: “Hunter” “Time Ain’t Accidental”

This is the KitCareful of Your Keepers
CHECK OUT: “Inside Outside” “More Change”

SquidO Monolith
CHECK OUT: “Undergrowth” “Swing (in a Dream)”

FURTHER LISTENING:
Alice CooperKiller (Deluxe Edition) / School’s Out (Deluxe Edition), AmaaraeFountain Baby, Andy Stack and Jay HammondInter Personal, Anna St. LouisIn the Air, Benny SingsSouthern Skies, The Boo RadleysSeeker, Braxe + FalconStep by Step Remixes, Captain PlanetSounds Like Home, Christopher Bear and Daniel RossenPast Lives (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), DarksideLive at Spiral House, Dead MilkmenQuaker City Quiet Pills, Decisive PinkTicket to Fame, Dominic SenApparition, Dream WifeSocial Lubrication, Drew Holcomb & the NeighborsStrangers No More, Dudu Tassa and Jonny GreenwoodJarak Qaribak, ExtremeSix, Feeble Little HorseGirl with Fish, GeldCurrency // Castration, Girl and Girl, Divorce+ EP, The High Water MarksYour Next Wolf, JamesBe Opened By the Wonderful (40 Years Orchestrated), Jayda GGuy, Jeff Clarke Locust, Jimmy WhispersThe Search for God, Keaton HensonHouse Party, Laura CantrellJust Like a Rose: The Anniversary Sessions, Lightning DustNostalgia Killer, Love and RocketsMy Dark Twin, Milky ChanceLiving in a Haze, My Morning JacketMMJ Live Vol. 3: Bonnaroo 2004 (Return to Thunderdome), Nicholas AllbrookManganese, Noah KahanStick Season (We’ll All Be Here Forever), Olof Dreijer + Mt SimsSouvenir EP, Queen of SwordsYear 8, SumbuckLucky, Shorty’s Swingin’ CoconutsSurf Shack Shindig, TEKE::TEKEHagata, WomboSlab EP, Youth LagoonHeaven is a Junkyard, Various Artists – The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: Season 5 (Music from the Amazon Original Series)