Big returns and big collabs are the theme for this week’s new albums. Arriving more than 15 years after Portishead’s Third, vocalist Beth Gibbons delivers Lives Outgrown; her James Ford-produced solo debut has been in the works for at least a decade. Ooh La La is the wistful ninth album from Guster, who were just added to the lineup of this year’s XPoNential Festival. Following her second Oscars win, Billie Eilish reemerges with her bold third LP, Hit Me Hard and Soft. Cage the Elephant brings a futuristic gloss to their sturdy rock sound on Neon Pill.
With guest appearances by Taj Mahal, Allison Russell, and Aoife O’Donovan, Kaïa Kater’s Strange Medicine is a soulful twist on contemporary folk. The Avett Brothers’ self-titled 11th album marks 15 years of their fruitful partnership with producer Rick Rubin. The Road is the third solo album from China Forbes; the longtime Pink Martini singer self-produced the record which returns to her early singer-songwriter roots. Talking Heads acolytes Paramore, Lorde, Miley Cyrus, and more celebrate the group’s groundbreaking concert film with the song-for-song recreation Everyone’s Getting Involved: A Tribute to Talking Heads’ Stop Making Sense.
Listen for spotlights on new records like these (and more) every week on the XPN Morning Show and Indie Rock Hit Parade.